Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/982,249 entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ACCESSING SUBTERRANEANDEPOSITS FROM THE SURFACE AND TOOLS THEREFOR, filed Oct. 31, 2007,pending, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/630,345entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ACCESSING SUBTERRANEAN DEPOSITS FROM THESURFACE AND TOOLS THEREFOR, filed Jul. 29, 2003, issued Oct. 30, 2012 asU.S. Pat. No. 8,297,377, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/165,627 entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ACCESSINGSUBTERRANEAN DEPOSITS FROM THE SURFACE, filed Jun. 7, 2002, issued Dec.30, 2003 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,918, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/789,956, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FORACCESSING SUBTERRANEAN DEPOSITS FROM THE SURFACE, filed Feb. 20, 2001,issued Nov. 12, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,085, which is a divisionalof U.S. application Ser. No. 09/444,029, entitled DRAINAGE PATTERN WITHINTERSECTING WELLS DRILLED FROM SURFACE, filed Nov. 19, 1999, issuedMar. 19, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,523, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/197,687, entitledMETHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF GAS FROM A COAL SEAM USING INTERSECTING WELLBORES, filed Nov. 20, 1998, issued Aug. 28, 2001 as U.S. Pat. No.6,280,000.

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/630,345 is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 09/774,996, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FORACCESSING SUBTERRANEAN ZONES FROM A LIMITED SURFACE AREA, filed Jan. 30,2001, issued Dec. 16, 2003 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,870.

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/630,345 is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 10/123,561, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FORACCESSING SUBTERRANEAN ZONES FROM A LIMITED SURFACE AREA, filed Apr. 15,2002, issued Aug. 12, 2003 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,580, which is: (i) adivisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/773,217, entitled METHOD ANDSYSTEM FOR ACCESSING SUBTERRANEAN ZONES FROM A LIMITED SURFACE AREA,filed Jan. 30, 2001, issued Jul. 30, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,448 and(ii) a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/885,219,entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ACCESSING SUBTERRANEAN DEPOSITS FROM THESURFACE, filed Jun. 20, 2001, issued May 13, 2003 as U.S. Pat. No.6,561,288, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/444,029, entitled DRAINAGE PATTERN WITH INTERSECTING WELLS DRILLEDFROM SURFACE, filed Nov. 19, 1999, issued Mar. 19, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No.6,357,523, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.09/197,687, entitled METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF GAS FROM A COAL SEAM USINGINTERSECTING WELL BORES, filed Nov. 20, 1998, issued Aug. 28, 2001 asU.S. Pat. No. 6,280,000.

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/630,345 is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 10/046,001, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FORMANAGEMENT OF BY-PRODUCTS FROM SUBTERRANEAN ZONES, filed Oct. 19, 2001,issued Jan. 27, 2004 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,855.

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/630,345 is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 10/079,794, entitled ACOUSTIC POSITIONMEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR WELL BORE FORMATION, filed Feb. 19, 2002, issuedJan. 24, 2006 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,566.

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/630,345 is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 10/004,316, entitled SLANT ENTRY WELL SYSTEMAND METHOD, filed Oct. 30, 2001, issued May 23, 2006 as U.S. Pat. No.7,048,049.

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/630,345 is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 10/160,425, entitled WEDGE ACTIVATEDUNDERREAMER, filed May 31, 2002, issued Nov. 8, 2005 as U.S. Pat. No.6,962,216.

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/630,345 is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 10/194,366, entitled UNDULATING WELL BORE,filed Jul. 12, 2002, issued Mar. 23, 2004 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,764.

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/630,345 is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 10/227,057, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FORSUBTERRANEAN ACCESS, filed Aug. 22, 2002, abandoned, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/774,996,filed Jan. 30, 2001 entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ACCESSINGSUBTERRANEAN ZONES FROM A LIMITED SURFACE AREA, issued Dec. 16, 2003 asU.S. Pat. No. 6,662,870.

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/630,345 is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 10/323,192, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FORCIRCULATING FLUID IN A WELL SYSTEM, filed Dec. 18, 2002, issued Apr. 11,2006 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,154, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/788,897, entitled MULTI-WELL STRUCTURE FORACCESSING SUBTERRANEAN DEPOSITS, filed Feb. 20, 2001, issued May 11,2004 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,792, which is a divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/444,029, entitled DRAINAGE PATTERN WITHINTERSECTING WELLS DRILLED FROM SURFACE, filed Nov. 19, 1999, issuedMar. 19, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,523, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/197,687, entitledMETHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF GAS FROM A COAL SEAM USING INTERSECTING WELLBORES, filed Nov. 20, 1998, issued Aug. 28, 2001 as U.S. Pat. No.6,280,000.

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/630,345 is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 10/264,535, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FORREMOVING FLUID FROM A SUBTERRANEAN ZONE USING AN ENLARGED CAVITY, filedOct. 3, 2002, issued Jan. 4, 2006 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,548.

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/630,345 is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 10/244,082, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FORCONTROLLING PRESSURE IN A DUAL WELL SYSTEM, filed Sep. 12, 2002, issuedJul. 11, 2006 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,595.

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/630,345 is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/769,098, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENHANCEDACCESS TO A SUBTERRANEAN ZONE, filed Jan. 24, 2001, issued Jul. 29, 2003as U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,686, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser.No. 09/696,338, entitled CAVITY WELL POSITIONING SYSTEM AND METHOD,filed Oct. 24, 2000, issued Sep. 24, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,000,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/444,029,entitled DRAINAGE PATTERN WITH INTERSECTING WELLS DRILLED FROM SURFACE,filed Nov. 19, 1999, issued Mar. 19, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,523,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/197,687,entitled METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF GAS FROM A COAL SEAM USINGINTERSECTING WELL BORES, filed Nov. 20, 1998, issued Aug. 28, 2001 asU.S. Pat. No. 6,280,000.

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/630,345 is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 10/003,917, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FORSURFACE PRODUCTION OF GAS FROM A SUBTERRANEAN ZONE, filed Nov. 1, 2001,published Jul. 25, 2002 as U.S. Publication Number US 2002-0096336 A1,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/444,029,entitled DRAINAGE PATTERN WITH INTERSECTING WELLS DRILLED FROM SURFACE,filed Nov. 19, 1999, issued Mar. 19, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,523,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/197,687,entitled METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF GAS FROM A COAL SEAM USINGINTERSECTING WELL BORES, filed Nov. 20, 1998, issued Aug. 28, 2001 asU.S. Pat. No. 6,280,000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the recovery of subterraneandeposits, and more particularly to a method and system for accessingsubterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor.

BACKGROUND

Subterranean deposits of coal contain substantial quantities ofentrained methane gas limited in production in use of methane gas fromcoal deposits has occurred for many years. Substantial obstacles,however, have frustrated more extensive development and use of methanegas deposits in coal seams. The foremost problem in producing methanegas from coal seams is that while coal seams may extend over large areasof up to several thousand acres, the coal seams are fairly shallow indepth, varying from a few inches to several meters. Thus, while the coalseams are often relatively near the surface, vertical wells drilled intothe coal deposits for obtaining methane gas can only drain a fairlysmall radius around the coal deposits. Further, coal deposits are notamendable to pressure fracturing and other methods often used forincreasing methane gas production from rock formations. As a result,once the gas easily drained from a vertical well bore in a coal seam isproduced, further production is limited in volume. Additionally, coalseams are often associated with subterranean water, which must bedrained from the coal seam in order to produce the methane.

Horizontal drilling patterns have been tried in order to extend theamount of coal seams exposed to a drill bore for gas extraction. Suchhorizontal drilling techniques, however, require the use of a radiusedwell bore which presents difficulties in removing the entrained waterfrom the coal seam. The most efficient method for pumping water from asubterranean well, a sucker rod pump, does not work well in horizontalor radiused bores.

A further problem for surface production of gas from coal seams is thedifficulty presented by under balanced drilling conditions caused by theporousness of the coal seam. During both vertical and horizontal surfacedrilling operations, drilling fluid is used to remove cuttings from thewell bore to the surface. The drilling fluid exerts a hydrostaticpressure on the formation which, if it exceeds the hydrostatic pressureof the formation, can result in a loss of drilling fluid into theformation. This results in entrainment of drilling finds in theformation, which tends to plug the pores, cracks, and fractures that areneeded to produce the gas.

As a result of these difficulties in surface production of methane gasfrom coal deposits, the methane gas which must be removed from a coalseam prior to mining, has been removed from coal seams through the useof subterranean methods. While the use of subterranean methods allowswater to be easily removed from a coal seam and eliminates underbalanced drilling conditions, they can only access a limited amount ofthe coal seams exposed by current mining operations. Where longwallmining is practiced, for example, underground drilling rigs are used todrill horizontal holes from a panel currently being mined into anadjacent panel that will later be mined. The limitations of undergroundrigs limits the reach of such horizontal holes and thus the area thatcan be effectively drained. In addition, the degasification of a nextpanel during mining of a current panel limits the time fordegasification. As a result, many horizontal bores must be drilled toremove the gas in a limited period of time. Furthermore, in conditionsof high gas content or migration of gas through a coal seam, mining mayneed to be halted or delayed until a next panel can be adequatelydegasified. These production delays add to the expense associated withdegasifying a coal seam.

Prior mining systems also generally require a fairly large and levelsurface area from which to work. As a result, prior mining systems anddrilling technologies generally cannot be used in Appalachia or otherhilly terrains. For example, in some areas the largest area of flat landmay be a wide roadway. Thus, less effective methods must be used,leading to production delays that add to the expense associated withdegasifying a coal seam.

Production of petroleum and other valuable materials from subterraneanzones frequently results in the production of water and otherby-products that must be managed in some way. Such by-product water maybe relatively clean, or may contain large amounts of brine or othermaterials. These by-products are typically disposed of by simply pouringthem at the surfaces or, if required by environmental regulations,hauling them off-site at great expense.

At any point in the drilling of a well bore its desired orientation maybe vertical, horizontal or at any other orientation to achieve thepositioning of the bore required by the incident application. Further,the incident application may require that the well bore remain withinand/or aligned with one or more boundaries of a specific “target”geologic formation such as a stratum, seam or other delimitedsubterranean structure. In these cases, it is necessary to detect andmeasure the distance to the boundaries between the target formation andthe adjacent formation(s) to allow guidance of the drilling process tokeep the well bore within the target formation.

Well bores are typically formed by a drilling rig that rotates a drillstring and thus a drill bit at the distal end of the drill string; orwhich rotates the drill string only to alter the direction of drilling,and the drill bit may in those cases be powered by, for example, ahydraulic or electric powered motor section located at or near the endof the drill string. The drill string may also include a bent section tofacilitate steering and/or other rotation of the drill bit.

While the use of subterranean methods allows water to be easily removedfrom a coal seam and eliminates under-balanced drilling conditions, theycan only access a limited amount of the coal seams exposed by currentmining operations. Where longwall mining is practiced, for example,underground drilling rigs are used to drill horizontal holes from apanel currently being mined into an adjacent panel that will later bemined. The limitations of underground rigs limits the reach of suchhorizontal holes and thus the area that can be effectively drained. Inaddition, the degasification of a next panel during mining of a currentpanel limits the time for degasification. As a result, many horizontalbores must be drilled to remove the gas in a limited period of time.Furthermore, in conditions of high gas content or migration of gasthrough a coal seam, mining may need to be halted or delayed until anext panel can be adequately degasified. These production delays add tothe expense associated with degasifying a coal seam.

Underreamers may be used to form an enlarged cavity in a well boreextending through a subterranean formation. The cavity may then be usedto collect resources for transport to the surface, as a sump for thecollection of well bore formation cuttings and the like or for othersuitable subterranean exploration and resource production operations.Additionally, the cavity may be used in well bore drilling operations toprovide an enlarged target for constructing multiple intersecting wellbores.

One example of an underreamer includes a plurality of cutting bladespivotally coupled to a lower end of a drill pipe. Centrifugal forcescaused by rotation of the drill pipe extends the cutting bladesoutwardly and diametrically opposed to each other. As the cutting bladesextend outwardly, the centrifugal forces cause the cutting blades tocontact the surrounding formation and cut through the formation. Thedrill pipe may be rotated until the cutting blades are disposed in aposition substantially perpendicular to the drill pipe, at which timethe drill pipe may be raised and/or lowered within the formation to forma cylindrical cavity within the formation.

Conventional underreamers, however, suffer several disadvantages. Forexample, the underreamer described above generally requires highrotational speeds to produce an adequate level of centrifugal force tocause the cutting blades to cut into the formation. An equipment failureoccurring during high speed rotation of the above-described underreamermay cause serious harm to operators of the underreamer as well as damageand/or destruction of additional drilling equipment.

Additionally, density variations in the subsurface formation may causeeach of the cutting blades to extend outwardly at different rates and/ordifferent positions relative to the drill pipe. The varied positions ofthe cutting blades relative to the drill pipe may cause anout-of-balance condition of the underreamer, thereby creating undesiredvibration and rotational characteristics during cavity formation, aswell as an increased likelihood of equipment failure.

A common problem in producing methane gas from coal seams may bevertical separation of multiple thin layers of coal within a coal seam.Although coal seams may extend over large areas of up to severalthousand acres, the depth of the multiple layers in the coal seam mayvary from very shallow to very deep. Vertical wells drilled into thecoal deposits for obtaining methane gas can only drain a fairly smallradius of methane gas around the vertical well. Further, coal depositsare not amenable to pressure fracturing and other methods often used forincreasing gas production from conventional rock formations. As aresult, production of gas may be limited in volume. Additionally, coalseams are often associated with subterranean water, which must bedrained from the coal seam in order to produce the methane.

One problem in producing methane gas from coal seams is that while coalseams may extend over large areas, up to several thousand acres, and mayvary in depth from a few inches to many feet. Coal seams may also have alow permeability. Thus, vertical wells drilled into the coal depositsfor obtaining methane gas can generally only drain a fairly small radiusof methane gas in low and even medium permeability coal deposits. As aresult, once gas in the vicinity of a vertical well bore is produced,further production from the coal seam through the vertical well islimited.

Another problem in producing methane gas from coal seams is subterraneanwater which must be drained from the coal seam in order to produce themethane. As water is removed from the coal seam, it may be replaced withrecharge water flowing from other virgin areas of the coal seam and/oradjacent formations. This recharge of the coal seam extends the timerequired to drain the coal seam and thus prolongs the production timefor entrained methane gas which may take five years, ten years, or evenlonger. When the area of the coal seam being drained is near a mine orother subterranean structure that reduces water and/or recharge water byitself draining water from the coal seam or in areas of highpermeability, methane gas may be produced from the coal seam after ashorter period of water removal. For example, in Appalachia coal bedswith a high permeability of ten to fifteen millidarcies have in four orfive months been pumped down to the point where gas can be produced.

One problem of production of gas from coal seams may be the difficultypresented at times by over balanced drilling conditions caused by lowreservoir pressure and aggravated by the porosity of the coal seam.During both vertical and horizontal surface drilling operations,drilling fluid is used to remove cuttings from the well bore to thesurface. The drilling fluid exerts a hydrostatic pressure on theformation which, when exceeding the pressure of the formation, canresult in a loss of drilling fluid into the formation. This results inentrainment of drilling finds in the formation, which tends to plug thepores, cracks, and fractures that are needed to produce the gas.

Certain methods are available to drill in an under-balanced state. Usinga gas such as nitrogen in the drilling fluid reduces the hydrostaticpressure, but other problems can occur as well, including increaseddifficulty in maintaining a desired pressure condition in the wellsystem during drill string tripping and connecting operations.

Subterranean zones, such as coal seams, contain substantial quantitiesof entrained methane gas. Subterranean zones are also often associatedwith liquid, such as water, which must be drained from the zone in orderto produce the methane. When removing such liquid, entrained coal finesand other fluids from the subterranean zone through pumping, methane gasmay enter the pump inlet which reduces pump efficiency.

One problem of surface production of gas from coal seams may be thedifficulty presented at times by over balanced drilling conditionscaused by the porosity of the coal seam. During both vertical andhorizontal surface drilling operations, drilling fluid is used to removecuttings from the well bore to the surface. The drilling fluid exerts ahydrostatic pressure on the formation which, if it exceeds the pressureof the formation, can result in a loss of drilling fluid into theformation. This results in entrainment of drilling finds in theformation, which tends to plug the pores, cracks, and fractures that areneeded to produce the gas. Other problems include a difficulty inmaintaining a desired pressure condition in the well system during drillstring tripping and connecting operations.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating formation of a wellbore pattern in a subterranean zone through an articulated surface wellintersecting a cavity well in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating formation of the wellbore pattern in the subterranean zone through the articulated surfacewell intersecting the cavity well in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating production of fluidsfrom a well bore pattern in a subterranean zone through a well bore inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a flow diagram illustrating a method for preparing a coalseam for mining operations in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4B is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative method forpreparing a coal seam for mining operations in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating production of fluidsfrom well bore patterns in dual subterranean zones through a well borein accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a cross sectional diagram illustrating formation of a wellbore pattern in a subterranean zone through an articulated surface wellintersecting a cavity well at the surface in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a top plan diagram illustrating formation of multiple wellbore patterns in a subterranean zone through multiple articulatedsurface wells intersecting a single cavity well at the surface inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating production of fluids from a well borepattern in a subterranean zone through a well bore in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the production of fluids from well borepatterns in dual subterranean zones through a well bore in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for preparing a coal seamfor mining operations in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating a system for accessinga subterranean zone from a limited surface area in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating a system for accessinga subterranean zone from a limited surface area in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional diagram illustrating a system for accessinga subterranean zone from a limited surface area in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a top plan view of multiple well borepatterns in a subterranean zone through an articulated surface wellintersecting multiple surface cavity wells in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a top plan view of multiple well borepatterns in a subterranean zone through an articulated surface wellintersecting multiple cavity wells in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for accessing asubterranean zone from a limited surface area in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for accessing asubterranean zone from a limited surface area in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for accessing asubterranean zone from a limited surface area in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for accessing asubterranean zone from a limited surface area in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a system for accessing a subterraneanzone in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates an example slant well system for production ofresources from a subterranean zone;

FIG. 21A illustrates a vertical well system for production of resourcesfrom a subterranean zone;

FIG. 21B illustrates a portion of An example slant entry well system infurther detail;

FIG. 22 illustrates an example method for producing water and gas from asubsurface formation;

FIG. 23A illustrates an example slant well system for production ofresources from a subterranean zone;

FIG. 23B illustrates an example method for producing water and gas froma subsurface formation;

FIG. 24A illustrates an example entry well bore;

FIG. 24B illustrates the use of an example system of an entry well boreand a slanted well bore;

FIG. 24C illustrates an example system of an entry well bore and aslanted well bore;

FIG. 24D illustrates an example system of a slanted well bore and anarticulated well bore;

FIG. 24E illustrates production of water and gas in an example slantwell system;

FIG. 24F illustrates an example drainage pattern that may be used withwells described herein;

FIG. 24G illustrates another example drainage pattern according to theteachings of the invention.

FIG. 25 is a top plan diagram illustrating a pinnate well bore patternfor accessing a subterranean zone in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 26 is a top plan diagram illustrating a pinnate well bore patternfor accessing a subterranean zone in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 27A is a top plan diagram illustrating a quadrilateral pinnate wellbore pattern for accessing a subterranean zone in accordance with stillanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27B is a top plan diagram illustrating another example of aquadrilateral pinnate well bore for accessing a subterranean zone inaccordance with still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a top plan diagram illustrating the alignment of pinnate wellbore patterns within panels of a coal seam for degasifying and preparingthe coal seam for mining operations in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 29 is a top plan diagram illustrating a pinnate well bore patternfor accessing deposits in a subterranean zone in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a top plan view of a pinnate well borepattern for accessing a subterranean zone in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 31 illustrates an example drainage pattern for use with a slantwell system;

FIG. 32 illustrates an example alignment of drainage patterns for usewith a slant well system;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating an example undulatingwell bore for accessing a layer of subterranean deposits;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating an example undulatingwell bore for accessing multiple layers of subterranean deposits;

FIG. 35 is an isometric diagram illustrating an example drainage patternof undulating well bores for accessing deposits in a subterranean zone;

FIG. 36 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for producinggas from a subterranean zone;

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating an example multi-planewell bore pattern for accessing a single, thick layer of subterraneandeposits;

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating an example multi-planewell bore pattern for accessing multiple layers of subterraneandeposits;

FIG. 39 is an isometric diagram illustrating an example multi-plane wellbore pattern for accessing deposits in a subterranean zone;

FIG. 40 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for producinggas from a subterranean zone;

FIG. 41A is top plan diagram illustrating an example tri-pinnatedrainage pattern for accessing deposits in a subterranean zone;

FIG. 41B is a top plan diagram illustrating another example drainagepattern for accessing deposits in a subterranean zone;

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating formation of anexample multi-level drainage pattern in a single, thick layer ofsubterranean deposits using a single cavity;

FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating formation of anexample multi-level drainage pattern in multiple layers of subterraneandeposits using a single cavity;

FIG. 44 is an isometric diagram illustrating an example multi-leveldrainage pattern for accessing deposits in a subterranean zone;

FIG. 45 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for producinggas from a subterranean zone.

FIGS. 46A-46C illustrate construction of an example guide tube bundle;

FIG. 47 illustrates an example entry well bore with an installed guidetube bundle;

FIG. 48 illustrates the use of an example guide tube bundle in an entrywell bore;

FIG. 49 illustrates an example system of slanted well bores;

FIG. 50 illustrates an example system of an entry well bore and aslanted well bore;

FIG. 51 illustrates an example system of a slanted well bore and anarticulated well bore;

FIG. 52 illustrates production of water and gas in an example slant wellsystem;

FIG. 53 is a diagram illustrating an underreamer in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 54 is a diagram illustrating the underreamer of FIG. 1 in asemi-extended position;

FIG. 55 is a diagram illustrating the underreamer of FIG. 1 in anextended position;

FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along line 56-56,illustrating the cutters of the example underreamer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 57 is a diagram illustrating an underreamer in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 58 is a diagram illustrating a portion of the underreamer of FIG. 5with the actuator in a particular position;

FIG. 59 is a diagram illustrating a portion of the underreamer of FIG. 5with an enlarged portion of the actuator proximate the housing;

FIG. 60 is an isometric diagram illustrating a cylindrical cavity formedusing an underreamer in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating formation of adrainage pattern in a subterranean zone through an articulated surfacewell intersecting a vertical cavity well in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 62 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating production ofby-product and gas from a drainage pattern in a subterranean zonethrough a vertical well bore in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 63 is a top plan diagram illustrating a pinnate drainage patternfor accessing a subterranean zone in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 64A-64B illustrate top-down and cross-sectional views of a firstset of drainage patters for producing gas from dipping subterranean zonein accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 65A-65B illustrate top-down and cross-sectional views of the firstset of drainage patterns and a second set of interconnected drainagepatterns for producing gas from the dipping subterranean zone of FIG. 64at Time (2) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 66A-66B illustrate top-down and cross-sectional views of the firstand second set of interconnected drainage patterns and a third set ofinterconnected drainage patterns for providing gas from the dippingsubterranean zone of FIG. 64 at Time (3) in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 67 illustrates top-down view of a field of interconnecting drainagepatters for producing gas from a dipping subterranean zone comprising acoal seam in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 68 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for management ofby-products from subterranean zones in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 69 illustrates a system for guided drilling of a coal seam or othertarget formation, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 70 illustrates an acoustic position measurement system withacoustic transmitters and receivers, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 71 illustrates an electronics package of an acoustic positionmeasurement system, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 72 illustrates a polar distance map of an acoustic positionmeasurement system, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 73 illustrates an example method for determining a desired positionfor a drilling member using an acoustic position measurement system, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 74 is cross-sectional diagram illustrating production from thesubterranean zone to the surface using the multi-well system inaccordance with several embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 75 is a top plan diagram illustrating a pinnate well bore patternfor accessing products in the subterranean zone in accordance with stillanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 76 is a top plan diagram illustrating a tri-pinnate well borepattern for accessing products in the subterranean zone in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 77 is a top plan diagram illustrating an alignment of tri-pinnatewell bore patterns in the subterranean zone in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 78 is a top plan diagram illustrating a pinnate well bore patternfor accessing products in the subterranean zone in accordance with stillanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 79 is a diagram illustrating a multi-well system for accessing asubterranean zone from a limited surface area in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 80 is a diagram illustrating the matrix structure of coal inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 81 is a diagram illustrating natural fractures in a coal seam inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 82 is a top plan diagram illustrating pressure drop in thesubterranean zone across a coverage area of the pinnate well borepattern of FIG. 8 during production of gas and water in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 83 is a chart illustrating pressure drop in the subterranean zoneacross line 83-83 of FIG. 82 in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 84 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for surface productionof gas from the coverage area of the subterranean zone in accordancewith embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 85 is a graph illustrating production curves for gas and water fromthe coverage area of the subterranean zone in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 86 is a graph illustrating simulated cumulative gas productioncurves for a multi-lateral well as a function of lateral spacing inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 87 illustrates the circulation of fluid in a well system in which afluid is provided down a substantially vertical well bore through atubing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 88 illustrates the circulation of fluid in a well system in which afluid is provided down a substantially vertical well bore, and a fluidmixture is returned up the well bore through a tubing, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 89 illustrates the circulation of fluid in a well system in which afluid mixture is pumped up a substantially vertical well bore through apump string, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 90 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for circulatingfluid in a well system in which a fluid is provided down a substantiallyvertical well bore through a tubing, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 91 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for circulatingfluid in a well system in which a fluid mixture is pumped up asubstantially vertical well bore through a pump string, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 92 illustrates an example well system for removing fluid from asubterranean zone utilizing an enlarged cavity in a substantiallyvertical portion of an articulated well bore, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 93 illustrates an example well system for removing fluid from asubterranean zone utilizing an enlarged cavity in a substantiallyhorizontal portion of an articulated well bore, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 94 illustrates an example well system for removing fluid from asubterranean zone utilizing an enlarged cavity in a curved portion of anarticulated well bore, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 95 illustrates an example well system for removing fluid from asubterranean zone utilizing an enlarged cavity and a branch sump of anarticulated well bore, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 96 illustrates an example underreamer used to form an enlargedcavity, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 97 illustrates the underreamer of FIG. 96 with cutters in asemi-extended position, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 98 illustrates the underreamer of FIG. 96 with cutters in anextended position, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 99 is an isometric diagram illustrating an enlarged cavity having agenerally cylindrical shape, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 100 illustrates an example system for controlling pressure in adual well drilling operation in which a pressure fluid is pumped down asubstantially vertical well bore in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 101 illustrates an example system for controlling pressure in adual well drilling operation in which a pressure fluid is pumped down anarticulated well bore in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 102 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for controllingpressure of a dual well system in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 103 illustrates an example well reservoir system 103010 accordingto yet another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

I. Well Types

FIGS. 1 through 24 illustrate example types of wells that may beconstructed according to the teachings of the invention. FIGS. 1 through4 involve dual wells. FIG. 5 involves dual wells with dual zones. FIGS.6A-7 involve a dual radius well. FIGS. 8-9 involve dual radius wellswith dual zones. FIGS. 10-19 involve dual wells with an angled well.FIGS. 20-22 involve a slant well. FIGS. 23-24 involve slant wells withnon-common surface wells, as well as pinnate patterns for other types ofwells.

A. Dual Well

FIG. 1 illustrates formation of a dual well system 10 for enhancedaccess to a subterranean, or subsurface, zone from the surface inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the subterranean zone is a tight coal seam having a mediumto low permeability. It will be understood that other suitable types ofzones and/or other types of low pressure, ultra-low pressure, and lowporosity subterranean formations can be similarly accessed using thepresent invention to lower reservoir or formation pressure and producehydrocarbons such as methane gas and other products from the zone. Forexample, the zone may be a shale or other carbonaceous formation.

Referring to FIG. 1, the system 10 includes a well bore 12 extendingfrom the surface 14 to a target coal seam 15. The well bore 12intersects, penetrates and continues below the coal seam 15. The wellbore 12 may be lined with a suitable well casing 16 that terminates ator above the level of the coal seam 15. The well bore 12 issubstantially vertical or non-articulated in that it allows sucker rod,Moineau and other suitable rod, screw and/or other efficient bore holepumps or pumping system to lift fluids up the bore 12 to the surface 14.Thus, the well bore 12 may include suitable angles to accommodatesurface 14 characteristics, geometric characteristics of the coal seam15, characteristics of intermediate formations and may be slanted at asuitable angle or angles along its length or parts of its length. Inparticular embodiments, the well bore 12 may slant up to 35 degreesalong its length or in sections but not itself be fully articulated tohorizontal.

The well bore 12 may be logged either during or after drilling in orderto closely approximate and/or locate the exact vertical depth of thecoal seam 15. As a result, the coal seam 15 is not missed in subsequentdrilling operations. In addition, techniques used to locate the coalseam 15 while drilling need not be employed. The coal seam 15 may beotherwise suitably located.

An enlarged cavity 20 is formed in the well bore 12 in or otherwiseproximate to the coal seam 15. As described in more detail below, theenlarged cavity 20 provides a point for intersection of the well bore 12by an articulated well bore used to form a horizontal multi-branching orother suitable subterranean well bore pattern in the coal seam 15. Theenlarged cavity 20 also provides a collection point for fluids drainedfrom the coal seam 15 during production operations and may additionallyfunction as a gas/water separator and/or a surge chamber. In otherembodiments, the cavity may be omitted and the wells may intersect toform a junction or may intersect at any other suitable type of junction.

The cavity 20 is an enlarged area of one or both well bores and may haveany suitable configuration. In one embodiment, the cavity 20 has anenlarged radius of approximately eight feet and a vertical dimensionthat equals or exceeds the vertical dimension of the coal seam 15. Inanother embodiment, the cavity 20 may have an enlarged substantiallyrectangular cross section perpendicular to an articulated well bore forintersection by the articulated well bore and a narrow width throughwhich the articulated well bore passes. In these embodiments, theenlarged cavity 20 may be formed using suitable under-reaming techniquesand equipment such as a dual blade tool using centrifugal force,ratcheting or a piston for actuation, a pantograph and the like. Thecavity may be otherwise formed by fracing and the like. A portion of thewell bore 12 may continue below the cavity 20 to form a sump 22 for thecavity 20. After formation of the cavity 20, well 12 may be capped witha suitable well head.

An articulated well bore 30 extends from the surface 14 to the enlargedcavity 20 of the well bore 12. The articulated well bore 30 may includea portion 32, a portion 34, and a curved or radiused portion 36interconnecting the portions 32 and 34. The portion 32 is substantiallyvertical, and thus may include a suitable slope. As previouslydescribed, portion 32 may be formed at any suitable angle relative tothe surface 14 to accommodate surface 14 geometric characteristics andattitudes and/or the geometric configuration or attitude of the coalseam 15. The portion 34 is substantially horizontal in that it liessubstantially in the plane of the coal seam 15. The portion 34intersects the cavity 20 of the well bore 12. It should be understoodthat portion 34 may be formed at any suitable angle relative to thesurface 14 to accommodate the dip or other geometric characteristics ofthe coal seam 15. It will also be understood that the curved or radiusportion 36 may directly intersect the cavity 20 and that the portion 34may undulate, be formed partially or entirely outside the coal seam 15and/or may be suitably angled.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the articulated well bore 30 isoffset a sufficient distance from the well bore 12 at the surface 14 topermit the large radius curved section 36 and any desired portion 34 tobe drilled before intersecting the enlarged cavity 20. To provide thecurved portion 36 with a radius of 100-150 feet, the articulated wellbore 30 may be offset a distance of about 300 feet from the well bore12. This spacing reduces or minimizes the angle of the curved portion 36to reduce friction in the articulated well bore 30 during drillingoperations. As a result, reach of the drill string through thearticulated well bore 30 is increased and/or maximized. In anotherembodiment, the articulated well bore 30 may be located within closeproximity of the well bore 12 at the surface 14 to minimize the surfacearea for drilling and production operations. In this embodiment, thewell bore 12 may be suitably sloped or radiused to extend down and overto a junction with the articulated bore 30. Thus, as described in moredetail below, the multi-well system may have a vertical profile with alimited surface well bore area, a substantially larger subsurface wellbore junction area and a still substantially larger subsurface coveragearea. The surface well bore area may be minimized to limit environmentalimpact. The subsurface well bore junction area may be enlarged withrespect to the surface area due to the use of large-radius curves forformation of the horizontal drainage pattern. The subsurface coveragearea is drained by the horizontal pattern and may be optimized fordrainage and production of gas from the coal seam 15 or other suitablesubterranean zone.

In one embodiment, the articulated well bore 30 is drilled using a drillstring 40 that includes a suitable down-hole motor and bit 42. Ameasurement while drilling (MWD) device 44 is included in thearticulated drill string 40 for controlling the orientation anddirection of the well bore drilled by the motor and bit 42. The portion32 of the articulated well bore 30 is lined with a suitable casing 38.

After the enlarged cavity 20 has been successfully intersected by thearticulated well bore 30, drilling is continued through the cavity 20using the articulated drill string 40 and appropriate drilling apparatusto provide a subterranean well bore, or drainage pattern 50 in the coalseam 15. In other embodiments, the well bore 12 and/or cavity 20 may beotherwise positioned relative to the well bore pattern 50 and thearticulated well 30. For example, in one embodiment, the well bore 12and cavity 20 may be positioned at an end of the well bore pattern 50distant from the articulated well 50. In another embodiment, the wellbore 12 and/or cavity 20 may be positioned within the pattern 50 at orbetween sets of laterals. In addition, portion 34 of the articulatedwell may have any suitable length and itself form the well bore pattern50 or a portion of the pattern 50. Also, pattern 50 may be otherwiseformed or connected to the cavity 20.

The well bore pattern 50 may be substantially horizontal correspondingto the geometric characteristics of the coal seam 15. The well borepattern 50 may include sloped, undulating, or other inclinations of thecoal seam 15 or other subterranean zone. During formation of well borepattern 50, gamma ray logging tools and conventional MWD devices may beemployed to control and direct the orientation of the drill bit 42 toretain the well bore pattern 50 within the confines of the coal seam 15and to provide substantially uniform coverage of a desired area withinthe coal seam 15.

In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the drainagepattern 50 may be an omni-directional pattern operable to intersect asubstantial or other suitable number of fractures in the area of thecoal seam 15 covered by the pattern 50. The drainage pattern 50 mayintersect a significant number of fractures of the coal seam 15 when itintersects a majority of the fractures in the coverage area and plane ofthe pattern 50. In other embodiments, the drainage pattern 50 mayintersect five, ten, twenty-five, forty or other minority percentage ofthe fractures or intersect sixty, seventy-five, eighty or other majorityor super majority percentage of the fractures in the coverage area andplane of the pattern 50. The coverage area may be the area between thewell bores of the drainage network of the pattern 50.

The drainage pattern 50 may be a pinnate pattern, other suitablemulti-lateral or multi-branching pattern, other pattern having a lateralor other network of bores or other patterns of one or more bores with asignificant percentage of the total footage of the bores havingdisparate orientations. The percentage of the bores having disparateorientations is significant when twenty-five to seventy-five percent ofthe bores have an orientation at least twenty degrees offset from otherbores of the pattern. In a particular embodiment, the well bores of thepattern 50 may have three or more main orientations each including atleast 10 percent of the total footage of the bores. As described below,the pattern 50 may have a plurality of bores extending outward of acenter point. The bores may be oriented with a substantially equalradial spacing between them. The bores may in some embodiments be mainbores with a plurality of lateral bores extending from each main bore.In another embodiment, the radially extending bores may together andalone form a multi-lateral pattern.

During the process of drilling the well bore pattern 50, drilling fluidor “mud” is pumped down the drill string 40 and circulated out of thedrill string 40 in the vicinity of the bit 42, where it is used to scourthe formation and to remove formation cuttings. The cuttings are thenentrained in the drilling fluid which circulates up through the annulusbetween the drill string 40 and the walls of well bore 30 until itreaches the surface 14, where the cuttings are removed from the drillingfluid and the fluid is then recirculated. This conventional drillingoperation produces a standard column of drilling fluid having a verticalheight equal to the depth of the well bore 30 and produces a hydrostaticpressure on the well bore 30 corresponding to the well bore 30 depth.Because coal seams 15 tend to be porous and fractured, they may beunable to sustain such hydrostatic pressure, even if formation water isalso present in the coal seam 15. Accordingly, if the full hydrostaticpressure is allowed to act on the coal seam 15, the result may be lossof drilling fluid and entrained cuttings into the formation. Such acircumstance is referred to as an over-balanced drilling operation inwhich the hydrostatic fluid pressure in the well bore 30 exceeds theability of the formation to withstand the pressure. Loss of drillingfluids and cuttings into the formation not only is expensive in terms ofthe lost drilling fluids, which must be made up, but it also tends toplug the pores in the coal seam 15, which are needed to drain the coalseam 15 of gas and water.

To prevent over-balance drilling conditions during formation of the wellbore pattern 50, air compressors 60 may be provided to circulatecompressed air down the well bore 12 and back up through the articulatedwell bore 30. The circulated air will admix with the drilling fluids inthe annulus around the drill string 40 and create bubbles throughout thecolumn of drilling fluid. This has the effect of lightening thehydrostatic pressure of the drilling fluid and reducing the down-holepressure sufficiently that drilling conditions do not becomeover-balanced. Aeration of the drilling fluid reduces down-hole pressureto less than the pressure of the hydrostatic column. For example, insome formations, down-hole pressure may be reduced to approximately150-200 pounds per square inch (psi). Accordingly, low pressure coalseams and other subterranean resources can be drilled withoutsubstantial loss of drilling fluid and contamination of the resource bythe drilling fluid.

Foam, which may be compressed air mixed with water or other suitablefluid, may also be circulated down through the drill string 40 alongwith the drilling mud in order to aerate the drilling fluid in theannulus as the articulated well bore 30 is being drilled and, ifdesired, as the well bore pattern 50 is being drilled. Drilling of thewell bore pattern 50 with the use of an air hammer bit or an air-powereddown-hole motor will also supply compressed air or foam to the drillingfluid. In this case, the compressed air or foam which is used to powerthe down-hole motor and bit 42 exits the articulated drill string 40 inthe vicinity of the drill bit 42. However, the larger volume of airwhich can be circulated down the well bore 12 permits greater aerationof the drilling fluid than generally is possible by air supplied throughthe drill string 40.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating formation of the multi-well system 10in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the well bore 12, cavity 20 and articulated well bore 30 arepositioned and formed as previously described in connection with FIG. 1.Referring to FIG. 2, after intersection of the cavity 20 by thearticulated well bore 30, a Moineau or other suitable pump 52 isinstalled in the cavity 20 to pump drilling fluid and cuttings to thesurface 14 through the well bore 12. This eliminates or reduces both thehead pressure and the friction of air and fluid returning up thearticulated well bore 30 and reduces down-hole pressure to nearly zero.Accordingly, coal seams and other subterranean resources having ultralow pressures below 150 psi can be accessed from the surface 14.Additionally, the risk of combining air and methane in the well iseliminated.

FIG. 3 illustrates production from the coal seam 15 to the surface usingthe multi-well system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. In particular, FIG. 3 illustrates the use of a rodpump to produce water from the coal seam 15. In one embodiment, waterproduction may be initiated by gas lift to clean out the cavity 20 andkick-off production. After production kick-off, the gas lift equipmentmay be replaced with a rod pump for further removal of water during thelife of the well. Thus, while gas lift may be used to produce waterduring the life of the well, for economic reasons, the gas lift systemmay be replaced with a rod pump for further and/or continued removal ofwater from the cavity 20 over the life of the well. In these and otherembodiments, evolving gas disorbed from coal in the seam 15 and producedto the surface 14 is collected at the well head and after fluidseparation may be flared, stored or fed into a pipeline.

As described in more detail below, for water saturated coal seams 15water pressure may need to be reduced below the initial reservoirpressure of an area of the coal seam 15 before methane and other gaswill start to diffuse or disorb from the coal in that area. For shallowcoal beds at or around 1000 feet, the initial reservoir pressure istypically about 300 psi. For undersaturated coals, pressure may need tobe reduced well below initial reservoir pressure down to the criticaldisorbtion pressure. Sufficient reduction in the water pressure for gasproduction may take weeks and/or months depending on configuration ofthe well bore pattern 50, water recharge in the coal seam 15, cavitypumping rates and/or any subsurface drainage through mines and other manmade or natural structures that drain water from the coal seam 15without surface lift. From non-water saturated coal seams 15, reservoirpressure may similarly need to be reduced before methane gas will startto diffuse or disorb from coal in the coverage area. Free and near-wellbore gas may be produced prior to the substantial reduction in reservoirpressure or the start of disorbtion. The amount of gas disorbed fromcoal may increase exponentially or with other non-linear geometricprogression with a drop in reservoir pressure. In this type of coalseam, gas lift, rod pumps and other water production equipment may beomitted.

Referring to FIG. 3, a pumping unit 80 is disposed in the well bore 12and extends to the enlarged cavity 20. The enlarged cavity 20 provides areservoir for accumulated fluids that may act as a surge tank and thatmay allow intermittent pumping without adverse effects of a hydrostatichead caused by accumulated fluids in the well bore 12. As a result, alarge volume of fluids may be collected in the cavity 20 without anypressure or any substantial pressure being exerted on the formation fromthe collected fluids. Thus, even during non-extended periods ofnon-pumping, water and/or gas may continue to flow from the well borepattern 50 and accumulate in the cavity 20.

The pumping unit 80 includes an inlet port 82 in the cavity 20 and maycomprise a tubing string 83 with sucker rods 84 extending through thetubing string 83. The inlet 82 may be positioned at or just above acenter height of the cavity 20 to avoid gas lock and to avoid debristhat collects in the sump 22 of the cavity 20. The inlet 82 may besuitably angled with or within the cavity.

The sucker rods 84 are reciprocated by a suitable surface mountedapparatus, such as a powered walking beam 86 to operate the pumping unit80. In another embodiment, the pumping unit 80 may comprise a Moineau orother suitable pump operable to lift fluids vertically or substantiallyvertically. The pumping unit 80 is used to remove water and entrainedcoal fines from the coal seam 15 via the well bore pattern 50. Once thewater is removed to the surface 14, it may be treated in gas/waterseparator 76 for separation of methane which may be dissolved in thewater and for removal of entrained fines.

After sufficient water has been removed from the coal seam 15, via gaslift, fluid pumping or other suitable manner, or pressure is otherwiselowered, coal seam gas may flow from the coal seam 15 to the surface 14through the annulus of the well bore 12 around the tubing string 83 andbe removed via piping attached to a wellhead apparatus.

The pumping unit 80 may be operated continuously or as needed to removewater drained from the coal seam 15 into the enlarged cavity 20. In aparticular embodiment, gas lift is continued until the well iskicked-off to a self-sustaining flow at which time the well is brieflyshut-in to allow replacement of the gas lift equipment with the fluidpumping equipment. The well is then allowed to flow in self-sustainingflow subject to periodic periods of being shut-in for maintenance, lackof demand for gas and the like. After any shut-in, the well may need tobe pumped for a few cycles, a few hours, days or weeks, to againinitiate self-sustaining flow or other suitable production rate of gas.In a particular embodiment, the rod pump may produce approximately eightgallons per minute of water from the cavity 20 to the surface. The wellis at self sustaining flow when the flow of gas is operable to lift anyproduced water such that the well may operate for an extended period ofsix weeks or more without pumping or artificial gas lift. Thus, the wellmay require periodic pumping between periods of self sustaining flow.

In a particular embodiment, the well bore pattern 50 may be configuredto result in a net reduction of water volume in the coverage area of thedrainage pattern (overall water volume pumped to the surface 14 lessinflux water volume from the surrounding areas and/or formations) of onetenth of the initial insitu water volume in the first five to ten daysof water production with gas lift or in the first 17 to 25 days of waterproduction with a rod pump in order to kick-off or induce early and/orself-sustaining gas release. The start of water production may be theinitial blow down or pump down of the well during a post-drillingtesting and/or production phase.

In one embodiment, early or accelerated gas release may be through achain reaction through an ever reducing reservoir pressure.Self-sustaining gas release provides gas lift to remove water withoutfurther pumping. Such gas may be produced in two-phase flow with thewater. In addition, the blow down or rapid removal of water from thecoverage area of the coal seam 15 may provide a pull or “jerk” on theformation and the high rate of flow in the bores may create an eductoraffect in the intersecting fractures to “pull” water and gas from thecoal seam 15. Also, the released gas may lower the specific gravityand/or viscosity of the produced fluid thereby further accelerating gasproduction from the formation. Moreover, the released gas may act as apropellant for further two-phase flow and/or production. The pressurereduction may affect a large rock volume causing a bulk coal or otherformation matrix shrinkage and further accelerating gas release. For thecoal seam 15, an attended increase in cleat width may increase formationpermeability and thereby further expedite gas production from theformation. It will be understood that early gas release may be initiatedwith all, some or none of the further enhancements to production.

During gas release, as described in more detail below, a majority orother substantial portion of water and gas from the coal seam 15 mayflow into the drainage pattern 50 for production to the surface throughintersections of the pattern 50 with natural fractures in the coal seam15. Due to the size of the fractures, the disabsorption of gas from coalthat lowers the relative permeability of the coal matrix to gas and/orwater to less than twenty percent of the absolute permeability does notaffect or substantially affect flow into the pattern 50 from thefractures. As a result, gas and water may be produced in substantialqualities in formations having medium and low effective permeabilitydespite low relative permeabilities of the formations.

FIG. 4A is a flow diagram illustrating a method for preparing the coalseam 15 for mining operations in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. In this embodiment, the method begins at step 160 inwhich areas to be drained and drainage patterns 50 for the areas areidentified. Preferably, the areas are aligned with the grid of a miningplan for the region. Pinnate structures 100, 120 and 140 may be used toprovide optimized coverage for the region. It will be understood thatother suitable patterns may be used to degasify the coal seam 15.

Proceeding to step 162, the substantially vertical well 12 is drilledfrom the surface 14 through the coal seam 15. Next, at step 164, downhole logging equipment is utilized to exactly identify the location ofthe coal seam in the substantially well bore 12. At step 164, theenlarged diameter cavity 22 is formed in the substantially vertical wellbore 12 at the location of the coal seam 15. As previously discussed,the enlarged diameter cavity 20 may be formed by under reaming and otherconventional techniques.

Next, at step 166, the articulated well bore 30 is drilled to intersectthe enlarged diameter cavity 22. At step 168, the main diagonal bore 104for the pinnate drainage pattern 100 is drilled through the articulatedwell bore 30 into the coal seam 15. After formation of the main diagonal104, lateral bores 110 for the pinnate drainage pattern 100 are drilledat step 170. As previously described, lateral kick-off points may beformed in the diagonal bore 104 during its formation to facilitatedrilling of the lateral bores 110.

At step 172, the articulated well bore 30 is capped. Next, at step 174,the enlarged diagonal cavity 22 is cleaned in preparation forinstallation of downhole production equipment. The enlarged diametercavity 22 may be cleaned by pumping compressed air down thesubstantially vertical well bore 12 or other suitable techniques. Atstep 176, production equipment is installed in the substantiallyvertical well bore 12. The production equipment includes a sucker rodpump extending down into the cavity 22 for removing water from the coalseam 15. The removal of water will drop the pressure of the coal seamand allow methane gas to diffuse and be produced up the annulus of thesubstantially vertical well bore 12.

Proceeding to step 178, water that drains from the drainage pattern 100into the cavity 22 is pumped to the surface with the rod pumping unit.Water may be continuously or intermittently be pumped as needed toremove it from the cavity 22. At step 180, methane gas diffused from thecoal seam 15 is continuously collected at the surface 14. Next, atdecisional step 182 it is determined whether the production of gas fromthe coal seam 15 is complete. In one embodiment, the production of gasmay be complete after the cost of the collecting the gas exceeds therevenue generated by the well. In another embodiment, gas may continueto be produced from the well until a remaining level of gas in the coalseam 15 is below required levels for mining operations. If production ofthe gas is not complete, the No branch of decisional step 182 returns tosteps 178 and 180 in which water and gas continue to be removed from thecoal seam 15. Upon completion of production, the Yes branch ofdecisional step 182 leads to step 184 in which the production equipmentis removed.

Next, at decisional step 186, it is determined whether the coal seam 15is to be further prepared for mining operations. If the coal seam 15 isto be further prepared for mining operations, the Yes branch ofdecisional step 186 leads to step 188 in which water and other additivesmay be injected back into the coal seam 15 to rehydrate the coal seam inorder to minimize dust, to improve the efficiency of mining, and toimprove the mined product.

Step 188 and the No branch of decisional step 186 lead to step 190 inwhich the coal seam 15 is mined. The removal of the coal from the seamcauses the mined roof to cave and fracture into the opening behind themining process. The collapsed roof creates gob gas which may becollected at step 192 through the substantially vertical well bore 12.Accordingly, additional drilling operations are not required to recovergob gas from a mined coal seam. Step 192 leads to the end of the processby which a coal seam is efficiently degasified from the surface. Themethod provides a symbiotic relationship with the mine to removeunwanted gas prior to mining and to rehydrate the coal prior to themining process.

It will be understood that the above process may be modified toaccommodate the creation of multiple well bore patterns, referred to,for pinnate patterns, as dual-pinnate, tri-pinnate; quad-pinnate, etc.,as needed, for example for space-saving purposes. FIG. 4B providesexample steps associated with such a process for tri-pinnate patterns.

FIG. 4B is a flow diagram illustrating a method for enhanced access to asubterranean resource, such as a coal seam 15, in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, themethod begins at step 500 in which areas to be drained and well borepatterns for the areas are identified. Pinnate well bore patterns may beused to provide optimized coverage for the region. However, it should beunderstood that other suitable well bore patterns may also be used.

Proceeding to step 502, the first well bore 12 is drilled from thesurface 14 to a predetermined depth through the coal seam 15. Next, atstep 504, down hole logging equipment is utilized to exactly identifythe location of the coal seam in the well bore 12. At step 506, theenlarged cavity 22 is formed in the first well bore 12 at the locationof the coal seam 15. As previously discussed, the enlarged cavity 20 maybe formed by under reaming and other conventional techniques.

At step 508, a second well bore 12 is drilled from the surface 14 to apredetermined depth through the coal seam 15. The second well bore 12 isdisposed offset from the first well bore 12 at the surface 14. Next, atstep 510, down hole logging equipment is utilized to exactly identifythe location of the coal seam in the second well bore 12. At step 512,the enlarged cavity 22 is formed in the second well bore 12 at thelocation of the coal seam 15. At step 514, a third well bore 12 isdrilled from the surface 14 to a predetermined depth through the coalseam 15. The third well bore 12 is disposed offset for the first andsecond well bores 12 at the surface. For example, as described above thefirst, second and third well bores 12 may be disposed having anapproximately 120 degree spacing relative to each other and be equallyspaced from a median location of a well bore area. Next, at step 516,down hole logging equipment is utilized to exactly identify the locationof the coal seam 15 in the third well bore 12. At step 518, the enlargedcavity 22 is formed in the third well bore 12 at the location of thecoal seam 15.

Next, at step 520, the articulated well bore 30 is drilled to intersectthe enlarged cavities 22 formed in the first, second and third wellbores 12. At step 522, the well bores 104 for the pinnate well borepatterns are drilled through the articulated well bore 30 into the coalseam 15 extending from each of the enlarged cavities 20. After formationof the well bore 104, lateral bores 110 for the pinnate well borepattern are drilled at step 524. Lateral well bores 148 for the pinnatewell bore pattern are formed at step 526.

At step 528, the articulated well bore 30 is capped. Next, at step 530,the enlarged cavities 22 are cleaned in preparation for installation ofdownhole production equipment. The enlarged cavities 22 may be cleanedby pumping compressed air down the first, second and third well bores 12or other suitable techniques. At step 532, production equipment isinstalled in the first, second and third well bores 12. The productionequipment may include a sucker rod pump extending down into the cavities22 for removing water from the coal seam 15. The removal of water willdrop the pressure of the coal seam and allow methane gas to diffuse andbe produced up the annulus of the first, second and third well bores 12.

Proceeding to step 534, water that drains from the well bore patternsinto the cavities 22 is pumped to the surface 14. Water may becontinuously or intermittently pumped as needed to remove it from thecavities 22. At step 536, methane gas diffused from the coal seam 15 iscontinuously collected at the surface 14. Next, at decisional step 538,it is determined whether the production of gas from the coal seam 15 iscomplete. In one embodiment, the production of gas may be complete afterthe cost of the collecting the gas exceeds the revenue generated by thewell. In another embodiment, gas may continue to be produced from thewell until a remaining level of gas in the coal seam 15 is belowrequired levels for mining operations. If production of the gas is notcomplete, the method returns to steps 534 and 536 in which water and gascontinue to be removed from the coal seam 15. Upon completion ofproduction, the method proceeds to step 540 in which the productionequipment is removed.

Next, at decisional step 542, it is determined whether the coal seam 15is to be further prepared for mining operations. If the coal seam 15 isto be further prepared for mining operations, the method proceeds tostep 544, where water and other additives may be injected back into thecoal seam 15 to rehydrate the coal seam 15 in order to minimize dust,improve the efficiency of mining, and improve the mined product.

If additional preparation of the coal seam 15 for mining is notrequired, the method proceeds from step 542 to step 546, where the coalseam 15 is mined. The removal of the coal from the coal seam 15 causesthe mined roof to cave and fracture into the opening behind the miningprocess. The collapsed roof creates gob gas which may be collected atstep 548 through the first, second and third well bores 12. Accordingly,additional drilling operations are not required to recover gob gas froma mined coal seam 15. Step 548 leads to the end of the process by whicha coal seam 15 is efficiently degasified from the surface. The methodprovides a symbiotic relationship with the mine to remove unwanted gasprior to mining and to rehydrate the coal prior to the mining process.

B. Dual Well—Dual Zone

FIG. 5 illustrates a method and system for drilling the well borepattern 50 in a second subterranean zone, located below the coal seam15, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, the well bore 12, enlarged cavity 20 and articulatedwell bore 32 are positioned and formed as previously described inconnection with FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the second subterranean zoneis also a coal seam. It will be understood that other subterraneanformations and/or other low pressure, ultra low pressure, and lowporosity subterranean zones can be similarly accessed using the dualradius well system of the present invention to remove and/or producewater, hydrocarbons and other fluids in the zone, to treat minerals inthe zone prior to mining operations, or to inject or introduce a gas,fluid or other substance into the zone.

In an alternative embodiment, the well bores 12 and 12′ are formedfirst, followed by the cavities 20 and 20′. Then, articulated well bores36 and 36′ may be formed. It will be understood that similarmodifications to the order of formation may be made, based on theproduction requirements and expected mining plan of the subsurfaceformations.

Referring to FIG. 5, after production and degasification is completed asto coal seam 15, a second coal seam 15′ may be degasified following asimilar method used to prepare coal seam 15. Production equipment forcoal seam 15 is removed and well bore 12 is extended below coal seam 15to form well bore 12′ to the target coal seam 15′. The well bore 12′intersects, penetrates and continues below the coal seam 15′. The wellbore 12′ may be lined with a suitable well casing 16′ that terminates ator above the upper level of the coal seam 15′. The well casing 16′ mayconnect to and extend from well casing 16, or may be formed as aseparate unit, installed after well casing 16 is removed, and extendingfrom the surface 14 through well bores 12 and 12′. Casing 16′ is alsoused to seal off cavity 20 from well bores 12 and 12′ during productionand drilling operations directed toward coal seam 15′.

The well bore 12′ is logged either during or after drilling in order tolocate the exact vertical depth of the coal seam 15′. As a result, thecoal seam 15′ is not missed in subsequent drilling operations, andtechniques used to locate the coal seam 15′ while drilling need not beemployed. An enlarged cavity 20′ is formed in the well bore 12′ at thelevel of the coal seam 15′. The enlarged cavity 20′ provides acollection point for fluids drained from the coal seam 15′ duringproduction operations and provides a reservoir for water separation ofthe fluids accumulated from the well bore pattern.

In one embodiment, the enlarged cavity 20′ has a radius of approximatelyeight feet and a vertical dimension which equals or exceeds the verticaldimension of the coal seam 15′. The enlarged cavity 20′ is formed usingsuitable under reaming techniques and equipment. A portion of the wellbore 12′ continues below the enlarged cavity 20′ to form a sump 22′ forthe cavity 20′.

An articulated well bore 30 extends from the surface 14 to both theenlarged cavity 20 of the well bore 12 and the enlarged cavity 20′ ofthe well bore 12′. The articulated well bore 30 includes portions 32 and34 and radiused portion 36 interconnecting the portions 32 and 34. Thearticulated well bore also includes portions 32′ and 34′ and a curved orradiused portion 36′ interconnecting the portions 32′ and 34′. Portions32′, 34′ and 36′ are formed as previously described in connection withFIG. 1 and portions 32, 34 and 36. The portion 34′ lies substantially inthe plane of the coal seam 15′ and intersects the enlarged cavity 20′ ofthe well bore 12′.

In the illustrated embodiment, the articulated well bore 30 is offset asufficient distance from the well bore 12 at the surface 14 to permitthe large radius curved portions 36 and 36′ and any desired portions 34and 34′ to be drilled before intersecting the enlarged cavity 20 or 20′.To provide the curved portion 36 with a radius of 100 150 feet, thearticulated well bore 30 is offset a distance of about 300 feet from thewell bore 12. With a curved portion 36 having a radius of 100 150 feet,the curved portion 36′ will have a longer radius than that of curvedportion 36, depending on the vertical depth of coal seam 15′ below thecoal seam 15. This spacing minimizes the angle of the curved portion 36to reduce friction in the bore 30 during drilling operations. As aresult, reach of the articulated drill string drilled through thearticulated well bore 30 is maximized. Because the shallower coal seam15 is usually produced first, the spacing between articulated well bore30 and well bore 12 is optimized to reduce friction as to curved portion36 rather than curved portion 36′. This may effect the reach of drillstring 40 in forming well bore pattern 50′ within coal seam 15′. Asdiscussed below, another embodiment of the present invention includeslocating the articulated well bore 30 significantly closer to the wellbore 12 at the surface 14, and thereby locating the articulated wellbore 30 closer to well bore 12′.

As described above, the articulated well bore 30 is drilled usingarticulated drill string 40 that includes a suitable down hole motor andbit 42. A measurement while drilling (MWD) device 44 is included in thearticulated drill string 40 for controlling the orientation anddirection of the well bore drilled by the motor and bit 42. The portion32 of the articulated well bore 30 is lined with a suitable casing 38. Acasing 38′ coupled to casing 38 may be used to enclose the portion 32′of articulated well bore 30 formed by formed by drilling beyond the kickoff point for curved portion 36. Casing 38′ is also used to seal off thecurved radius portion 36 of the articulated well bore 30.

After the enlarged cavity 20′ has been successfully intersected by thearticulated well bore 30, drilling is continued through the cavity 20′using the articulated drill string 40 and an appropriate drillingapparatus to provide a well bore pattern 50′ in the coal seam 15′. Thewell bore pattern 50′ and other such well bores include sloped,undulating, or other inclinations of the coal seam 15′ or othersubterranean zone. During this operation, gamma ray logging tools andconventional measurement while drilling devices may be employed tocontrol and direct the orientation of the drill bit to retain the wellbore pattern 50′ within the confines of the coal seam 15′ and to providesubstantially uniform coverage of a desired area within the coal seam15′. The well bore pattern 50′ may be constructed similar to well borepattern 50 as described above. Further information regarding the wellbore pattern is described in more detail above in Section B.

Drilling fluid or “mud” my be used in connection with drilling thedrainage pattern 50′ in the same manner as described above in connectionwith FIG. 1 for drilling the well bore pattern 50. At the intersectionof the enlarged cavity 20′ by the articulated well bore 30, a pump 52 isinstalled in the enlarged cavity 20′ to pump drilling fluid and cuttingsto the surface 14 through the well bores 12 and 12′. This eliminates thefriction of air and fluid returning up the articulated well bore 30 andreduces down hole pressure to nearly zero. Accordingly, coal seams andother subterranean zones having ultra low pressures below 150 psi can beaccessed from the surface. Additionally, the risk of combining air andmethane in the well is eliminated.

C. Dual Radius

FIG. 6A illustrates a dual radius articulated well combination 6200 foraccessing a subterranean zone from the surface in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, thesubterranean zone is a coal seam. It will be understood that othersubterranean formations and/or other low pressure, ultra low pressure,and low porosity subterranean zones can be similarly accessed using thedual radius articulated well system of the present invention to removeand/or produce water, hydrocarbons and other fluids in the zone, totreat minerals in the zone prior to mining operations, or to inject orintroduce a gas, fluid or other substance into the subterranean zone.

Referring to FIG. 6A, a well bore 6210 extends from a limited drillingand production area on the surface 614 to a first articulated well bore6230. The well bore 6210 may be lined with a suitable well casing 6215that terminates at or above the level of the intersection of thearticulated well bore 6230 with the well bore 6210. A second well bore6220 extends from the intersection of the well bore 6210 and the firstarticulated well bore 6230 to a second articulated well bore 6235. Thesecond well bore 6220 is in substantial alignment with the first wellbore 6210, such that together they form a continuous well bore. In FIGS.6A-8, well bores 6210 and 6220 are illustrated substantially vertical;however, it should be understood that well bores 6210 and 6220 may beformed at any suitable angle relative to the surface 614 to accommodate,for example, surface 614 geometries and attitudes and/or the geometricconfiguration or attitude of a subterranean resource. An extension 6240to the second well bore 6220 extends from the intersection of the secondwell bore 6220 and the second articulated well bore 6235 to a depthbelow the coal seam 615.

The first articulated well bore 6230 has a radius portion 6232. Thesecond articulated well bore 6235 has a radius portion 6237. The radiusportion 6232 may be formed having a radius of about one hundred fiftyfeet. The radius portion 6237 is smaller than radius portion 6232, andmay be formed having a radius of about fifty feet. However, othersuitable formation radii may be used to form radius portions 6232 and6237.

The first articulated well bore 6230 communicates with an enlargedcavity 6250. The enlarged cavity 6250 is formed at the distal end of thefirst articulated well bore 6230 at the level of the coal seam 615. Asdescribed in more detail below, the enlarged cavity 6250 provides ajunction for intersection of a portion 6225 of the articulated well bore6235. Portion 6225 of the well bore 6235 is formed substantially withinthe plane of the coal seam 615 and extends from the radius portion 6237to the enlarged cavity 6250. In one embodiment, the enlarged cavity 6250has a radius of approximately eight feet and a vertical dimension whichequals or exceeds the vertical dimension of the coal seam 615. Theenlarged cavity 6250 is formed using suitable under reaming techniquesand equipment.

The well bore 6235 is formed generally at the intersection of the secondwell bore 6220 and extends through the coal seam 615 and into theenlarged cavity 6250. In one embodiment, the well bores 6210 and 6220are formed first, followed by the second articulated well bore 6235.Then, the enlarged cavity 6250 is formed, and the second articulatedwell bore 6230 is drilled to intersect the enlarged cavity 6250.However, other suitable drilling sequences may be used.

For example, after formation of well bore 6210, the first articulatedwell bore 6230 may be drilled using articulated drill string 6040 thatincludes a suitable down hole motor and bit 6042. A measurement whiledrilling (MWD) device 6044 is included in the articulated drill string6040 for controlling the orientation and direction of the well boredrilled by the motor and bit 6042. After the first articulated well bore6230 is formed, the enlarged cavity 6250 is formed in the coal seam. Theenlarged cavity 6250 may be formed by a rotary unit, an expandablecutting tool, a water jet cutting tool, or other suitable methods offorming a cavity in a subsurface formation. After the enlarged cavity6250 has been formed, drilling is continued through the cavity 6250using the articulated drill string 6040 and appropriate drillingapparatus to provide the well bore pattern 6050 in the coal seam 6015.The well bore pattern 6050 and other such well bores include sloped,undulating, or other inclinations of the coal seam 6015 or othersubterranean zone. During this operation, gamma ray logging tools andconventional measurement while drilling devices may be employed tocontrol and direct the orientation of the drill bit to retain the wellbore pattern 6050 within the confines of the coal seam 6015 and toprovide substantially uniform coverage of a desired area within the coalseam 6015. Further information regarding the well bore pattern isdescribed in more detail in Section B. Drilling mud and over balanceprevention operations may be conducted in the same manner as describedabove in connection with FIG. 1. After the well bore pattern 6050 hasbeen formed, the articulated drill string 6040 is removed from the wellbores and used to form the well bore 6220. As described above, thesecond well bore 6220 shares a common portion with the articulated wellportion 6230.

After the well bore 6220 is drilled to the depth of the coal seam 6015,a subsurface channel is formed by the articulated well bore 6235. Thesecond articulated well bore 6235 is formed using conventionalarticulated drilling techniques and interconnects the second well bore6220 and the enlarged cavity 6250. As described in more detail inconnection with FIG. 7 below, this allows fluids collected through thewell bore pattern 6050 to flow through the enlarged cavity 6250 andalong the well bore 6235 to be removed via the second well bore 6220 andthe first well bore 6210 to the surface 6014. By drilling in thismanner, a substantial area of a subsurface formation may be drained orproduced from a small area on the surface.

FIG. 6B illustrates formation of multiple well bore patterns in asubterranean zone through multiple articulated surface wellsintersecting a single cavity well at the surface in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, asingle cavity well bore 6210 is used to collect and remove to thesurface resources collected from well bore patterns 6050. It will beunderstood that a varying number of multiple well bore patterns 6050,enlarged cavities 6250, and articulated wells 6230 and 6235 may be used,depending on the geology of the underlying subterranean formation,desired total drainage area, production requirements, and other factors.

Referring to FIG. 6B, well bores 6210 and 6220 are drilled at a surfacelocation at the approximate center of a desired total drainage area. Asdescribed above, articulated well bores 6230 are drilled from a surfacelocation proximate to or in common with the well bores 6210 and 6220.Well bore patterns 6050 are drilled within the target subterranean zonefrom each articulated well bore 6230. Also from each of the articulatedwell bores 6230, an enlarged cavity 6250 is formed to collect resourcesdraining from the well bore patterns 6050. Well bores 6235 are drilledto connect each of the enlarged cavities 6250 with the well bores 6210and 6220 as described above in connection with FIG. 6A.

Resources from the target subterranean zone drain into well borepatterns 6050, where the resources are collected in the enlargedcavities 6250. From the enlarged cavities 6250, the resources passthrough the well bores 6235 and into the well bores 6210 and 6220. Oncethe resources have been collected in well bores 6210 and 6220, they maybe removed to the surface by the methods as described above.

FIG. 7 illustrates production of fluids and gas from the well borepattern 6050 in the coal seam 6015 in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention. In this embodiment, after the well bores 6210,6220, 6230 and 6235, as well as desired well bore patterns 6050, havebeen drilled, the articulated drill string 6040 is removed from the wellbores. In one aspect of this embodiment, the first articulated well bore6230 is cased over and the well bore 6220 is lined with a suitable wellcasing 6216. In the illustrated aspect of this embodiment, only the wellbore 6220 is cased by casing 6216 and the first articulated well bore6230 is left in communication with the first well bore 6210.

Referring to FIG. 7, a down hole pump 6080 is disposed in the lowerportion of the well bore 6220 above the extension 6240. The extension6240 provides a reservoir for accumulated fluids allowing intermittentpumping without adverse effects of a hydrostatic head caused byaccumulated fluids in the well bore.

The down hole pump 6080 is connected to the surface 6014 via a tubingstring 6082 and may be powered by sucker rods 6084 extending downthrough the well bores 6210 and 6220 of the tubing string 6082. Thesucker rods 6084 are reciprocated by a suitable surface mountedapparatus, such as a powered walking beam 6086 to operate the down holepump 6080. The down hole pump 6080 is used to remove water and entrainedcoal fines from the coal seam 6015 via the well bore pattern 6050. Oncethe water is removed to the surface, it may be treated for separation ofmethane which may be dissolved in the water and for removal of entrainedfines. After sufficient water has been removed from the coal seam 6015,pure coal seam gas may be allowed to flow to the surface 6014 throughthe annulus of the well bores 6210 and 6220 around the tubing string6082 and removed via piping attached to a wellhead apparatus.Alternatively or additionally, pure coal seam gas may be allowed to flowto the surface 6014 through the annulus of the first articulated wellbore 6230. At the surface, the methane is treated, compressed and pumpedthrough a pipeline for use as a fuel in a conventional manner. The downhole pump 6080 may be operated continuously or as needed to remove waterdrained from the coal seam 6015 into the extension 6240.

D. Dual Radius and Dual Zone

FIG. 8 illustrates a method and system for drilling the well borepattern 8050 in a second subterranean zone, located below the coal seam8015, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, the well bores 8210 and 8220, the articulated wellbores 8230 and 8235, the enlarged cavity 8250, and the well bore pattern8050 are positioned and formed as previously described in connectionwith components having similar reference numerals in FIG. 6A. In thisembodiment, the second subterranean zone is also a coal seam. It will beunderstood that other subterranean formations and/or other low pressure,ultra low pressure, and low porosity subterranean zones can be similarlyaccessed using the dual radius well system of the present invention toremove and/or produce water, hydrocarbons and other fluids in the zone,to treat minerals in the zone prior to mining operations, or to injector introduce a gas, fluid or other substance into the zone.

Referring to FIG. 8, after production and degasification is completed asto coal seam 8015, a second coal seam 8015′ may be degasified followinga similar method used to prepare coal seam 8015. Production equipmentfor coal seam 8015 is removed and well bore 8220 is extended below coalseam 8015 to form a well bore 8260 to the target coal seam 8015′. Thewell bore 8260 intersects, penetrates and continues below the coal seam8015′, terminating in an extension 8285. The well bore 8260 may be linedwith a suitable well casing 8218 that terminates at or above the upperlevel of the coal seam 8015′. The well casing 8218 may connect to andextend from well casing 8216, or may be formed as a separate unit,installed after well casing 8216 is removed, and extending from thesurface 8014 through well bores 8210, 8220, and 8260. Casing 8260 mayalso used to seal off articulated well bores 8230 and 8235 from wellbores 8210 and 8220 during production and drilling operations directedtowards coal seam 8015′. Well bore 8260 is in substantial alignment withthe well bores 8210 and 8220, such that together they form a continuouswell bore. In FIG. 8, well bore 8260 is illustrated substantiallyvertical; however, it should be understood that well bore 8260 may beformed at any suitable angle relative to the surface 8014 and/or wellbores 8210 and 8220 to accommodate, for example, the geometricconfiguration or attitude of a subterranean resource.

In a manner similar to that described in connection with FIG. 6A above,a first articulated well bore 8270, an enlarged cavity 8290, a well borepattern 8050′, and a second articulated well bore 8275 are formed incomparable relation to coal seam 8015′. Similarly, water, hydrocarbons,and other fluids are produced from coal seam 8015′ in a mannersubstantially the same as described above in connection with FIG. 7. Forexample, resources from the target coal seam 8015′ drain into well borepatterns 8050′, where the resources are collected in the enlargedcavities 8290. From the enlarged cavities 8290, the resources passthrough a portion 8280 of the well bore 8275 and into the well bores8210, 8220, and 8260. Once the resources have been collected in wellbores 8210, 8220, and 8260, they may be removed to the surface by themethods as described above.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for preparing the coalseam 8015 for mining operations in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention. In this embodiment, the method begins at step 900in which areas to be drained and well bore patterns 8050 to providedrainage for the areas are identified. Preferably, the areas are alignedwith a grid of a mining plan for the region. Pinnate structuresdescribed in Section B may be used to provide optimized coverage for theregion. It will be understood that other suitable patterns may be usedto degasify the coal seam 8015.

Proceeding to step 905, the first articulated well 8230 is drilled tothe coal seam 8015. At step 915, down hole logging equipment is utilizedto exactly identify the location of the coal seam in the firstarticulated well bore 8230. At step 920, the enlarged cavity 8250 isformed in the first articulated well bore 8230 at the location of thecoal seam 8015. The enlarged cavity 8250 may be formed by under reamingand other conventional techniques. At step 925, a well bore for a wellbore pattern such as the patterns described in Section B, for example,is drilled from the articulated well bore 8230 into the coal seam 8015.After formation of the well bore, lateral well bores for the wellpattern are drilled at step 530. As previously described, lateral kickoff points may be formed in the well bore during its formation tofacilitate drilling of the lateral well bores.

Next, at step 935, the enlarged cavity 8250 is cleaned in preparationfor installation of downhole production equipment. The enlarged cavity8250 may be cleaned by pumping compressed air down the well bores 8210and 8230 or other suitable techniques. Next, at step 8540, the secondwell bore 8220 is drilled from or proximate to the articulated well bore8230 to intersect the coal seam 8015. At step 945, the secondarticulated well bore 8235 and extension 8240 are formed. Next, at step950, the well bore 8225 is drilled to intersect the enlarged cavity8250.

At step 955, production equipment is installed in the well bores 8210and 8220. The production equipment includes a sucker rod pump extendingdown into the bottom portion of well bore 8220, above the extension 8240for removing water from the coal seam 8015. The removal of water willdrop the pressure of the coal seam and allow methane gas to diffuse andbe produced up the annulus of the well bores 8210 and 8220 and thearticulated well bore 8230.

Proceeding to step 960, water that drains from the well bore patterninto the bottom portion of well bore 8220 is pumped to the surface withthe rod pumping unit. Water may be continuously or intermittently bepumped as needed to remove it from the bottom portion of well bore 8220.At step 965, methane gas diffused from the coal seam 8015 iscontinuously collected at the surface 8014. Next, at decisional step970, it is determined whether the production of gas from the coal seam8015 is complete. In one embodiment, the production of gas may becomplete after the cost of the collecting the gas exceeds the revenuegenerated by the well. In another embodiment, gas may continue to beproduced from the well until a remaining level of gas in the coal seam8015 is below required levels for mining operations. If production ofthe gas is not complete, the No branch of decisional step 970 returns tosteps 960 and 965 in which water and gas continue to be removed from thecoal seam 815. Upon completion of production, the Yes branch ofdecisional step 970 leads to step 975 in which the production equipmentis removed.

Next, at decisional step 980, it is determined whether the coal seam8015 is to be further prepared for mining operations. If the coal seam8015 is to be further prepared for mining operations, the Yes branch ofdecisional step 980 leads to step 985 in which water and other additivesmay be injected back into the coal seam 15 to re hydrate the coal seamin order to minimize dust, to improve the efficiency of mining, and toimprove the mined product.

Step 985 and the No branch of decisional step 980 lead to step 990 inwhich the coal seam 8015 is mined. The removal of the coal from the seamcauses the mined roof to cave and fracture into the opening behind themining process. The collapsed roof creates gob gas which may becollected at step 995 through the well bores 8210 and 8220 and/or firstarticulated well bore 8230. Accordingly, additional drilling operationsare not required to recover gob gas from a mined coal seam. Step 995leads to the end of the process by which a coal seam is efficientlydegasified from a minimum surface area. The method provides a symbioticrelationship with the mine to remove unwanted gas prior to mining and tore hydrate the coal prior to the mining process. Furthermore, the methodallows for efficient degasification in steep, rough, or otherwiserestrictive topology.

E. Dual Well with Slant

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a system 10010 for accessing asubterranean zone from a limited surface area in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, thesubterranean zone is a coal seam. However, it should be understood thatother subterranean formations and/or other low pressure, ultra lowpressure, and low porosity subterranean zones can be similarly accessedusing the system 10010 of the present invention to remove and/or producewater, hydrocarbons and other fluids in the zone, to treat minerals inthe zone prior to mining operations, or to inject, introduce, or store agas, fluid or other substance into the zone.

Referring to FIG. 10, a well bore 10012 extends from the surface 10014to a target coal seam 10016. The well bore 10012 intersects, penetratesand continues below the coal seam 10016. In the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 10, the well bore 10012 includes a portion 10018, an angledportion 10020, and a portion 10022 disposed between the surface 10014and the coal seam 10016. In FIG. 10, portions 10018 and 10022 areillustrated substantially vertical; however, it should be understoodthat portions 10018 and 10022 may be formed at other suitable angles andorientations to accommodate surface 10014 and/or coal seam 10016variations.

In this embodiment, the portion 10018 extends downwardly in asubstantially vertical direction from the surface 10014 a predetermineddistance to accommodate formation of radiused portions 10024 and 10026,angled portion 10020, and portion 10022 to intersect the coal seam 10016at a desired location. Angled portion 10020 extends from an end of theportion 10018 and extends downwardly at a predetermined angle relativeto the portion 10018 to accommodate intersection of the coal seam 10016at the desired location. Angled portion 10020 may be formed having agenerally uniform or straight directional configuration or may includevarious undulations or radiused portions as required to intersectportion 10022 and/or to accommodate various subterranean obstacles,drilling requirements or characteristics. Portion 10022 extendsdownwardly in a substantially vertical direction from an end of theangled portion 10020 to intersect, penetrate and continue below the coalseam 10016.

In one embodiment, to intersect a coal seam 10016 located at a depth ofapproximately 1200 feet below the surface 10014, the portion 10018 maybe drilled to a depth of approximately 300 feet. Radiused portions 10024and 10026 may be formed having a radius of approximately 400 feet, andangled portion 10020 may be tangentially formed between radiusedportions 10024 and 10026 at an angle relative to the portion 10018 toaccommodate approximately a 250 foot offset between portions 10018 and10022 at a depth of approximately 200 feet above the target coal seam10016. The portion 10022 may be formed extending downwardly theremaining 200 feet to the coal seam 10016. However, other suitabledrilling depths, drilling radii, angular orientations, and offsetdistances may be used to form well bore 10012. The well bore 10012 mayalso be lined with a suitable well casing 10028 that terminates at orabove the upper level of the coal seam 10016.

The well bore 10012 is logged either during or after drilling in orderto locate the exact vertical depth of the coal seam 10016. As a result,the coal seam 10016 is not missed in subsequent drilling operations, andtechniques used to locate the coal seam 10016 while drilling need not beemployed. An enlarged cavity 10030 is formed in the well bore 10012 atthe level of the coal seam 10016. As described in more detail below, theenlarged cavity 10030 provides a junction for intersection of the wellbore 10012 by an articulated well bore used to form a subterranean wellbore pattern in the coal seam 10016. The enlarged cavity 10030 alsoprovides a collection point for fluids drained from the coal seam 10016during production operations. In one embodiment, the enlarged cavity10030 has a radius of approximately eight feet and a vertical dimensionwhich equals or exceeds the vertical dimension of the coal seam 10016.The enlarged cavity 10030 is formed using suitable under reamingtechniques and equipment. Portion 10022 of the well bore 10012 continuesbelow the enlarged cavity 10030 to form a sump 10032 for the cavity10030.

An articulated well bore 10040 extends from the surface 10014 to theenlarged cavity 10030. In this embodiment, the articulated well bore10040 includes a portion 10042, a portion 10044, and a curved orradiused portion 10046 interconnecting the portions 10042 and 10044. Theportion 10044 lies substantially in the plane of the coal seam 10016 andintersects the enlarged cavity 10030. In FIG. 10, portion 10042 isillustrated substantially vertical, and portion 10044 is illustratedsubstantially horizontal; however, it should be understood that portions10042 and 10044 may be formed having other suitable orientations toaccommodate surface 10014 and/or coal seam 10016 characteristics.

In the illustrated embodiment, the articulated well bore 10040 is offseta sufficient distance from the well bore 10012 at the surface 10014 topermit the large radius curved portion 10046 and any desired distance ofportion 10044 to be drilled before intersecting the enlarged cavity10030. In one embodiment, to provide the curved portion 10046 with aradius of 100-150 feet, the articulated well bore 10040 is offset adistance of approximately 300 feet from the well bore 10012 at thesurface 10014. This spacing minimizes the angle of the curved portion10046 to reduce friction in the articulated well bore 10040 duringdrilling operations. As a result, reach of the articulated drill stringdrilled through the articulated well bore 10040 is maximized. However,other suitable offset distances and radii may be used for forming thearticulated well bore 10040. The portion 10042 of the articulated wellbore 10040 is lined with a suitable casing 10048.

The articulated well bore 10040 is drilled using an articulated drillstring 10050 that includes a suitable down hole motor and bit 10052. Ameasurement while drilling (MWD) device 10054 is included in thearticulated drill string 10050 for controlling the orientation anddirection of the well bore drilled by the motor and bit 52.

After the enlarged cavity 10030 has been successfully intersected by thearticulated well bore 10040, drilling is continued through the cavity10030 using the articulated drill string 10050 and appropriate drillingapparatus to provide a subterranean well bore pattern 10060 in the coalseam 10016. The well bore pattern 10060 and other such well boresinclude sloped, undulating, or other inclinations of the coal seam 10016or other subterranean zone. During this operation, gamma ray loggingtools and conventional measurement while drilling devices may beemployed to control and direct the orientation of the drill bit 10052 toretain the well bore pattern 10060 within the confines of the coal seam10016 and to provide substantially uniform coverage of a desired areawithin the coal seam 10016.

During the process of drilling the well bore pattern 10060, drillingfluid or “mud” is pumped down the articulated drill string 10050 andcirculated out of the drill string 10050 in the vicinity of the bit10052, where it is used to scour the formation and to remove formationcuttings. The cuttings are then entrained in the drilling fluid whichcirculates up through the annulus between the drill string 10050 and thewalls of the articulated well bore 10040 until it reaches the surface1014, where the cuttings are removed from the drilling fluid and thefluid is then recirculated. This conventional drilling operationproduces a standard column of drilling fluid having a vertical heightequal to the depth of the articulated well bore 10040 and produces ahydrostatic pressure on the well bore corresponding to the well boredepth. Because coal seams tend to be porous and fractured, they may beunable to sustain such hydrostatic pressure, even if formation water isalso present in the coal seam 10016. Accordingly, if the fullhydrostatic pressure is allowed to act on the coal seam 10016, theresult may be loss of drilling fluid and entrained cuttings into theformation. Such a circumstance is referred to as an “over balanced”drilling operation in which the hydrostatic fluid pressure in the wellbore exceeds the ability of the formation to withstand the pressure.Loss of drilling fluids and cuttings into the formation not only isexpensive in terms of the lost drilling fluids, which must be made up,but it also tends to plug the pores in the coal seam 10016, which areneeded to drain the coal seam of gas and water.

To prevent over balance drilling conditions during formation of the wellbore pattern 10060, air compressors 10062 are provided to circulatecompressed air down the well bore 10012 and back up through thearticulated well bore 10040. The circulated air will admix with thedrilling fluids in the annulus around the articulated drill string 10050and create bubbles throughout the column of drilling fluid. This has theeffect of lightening the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling fluid andreducing the down hole pressure sufficiently that drilling conditions donot become over balanced. Aeration of the drilling fluid reduces downhole pressure to approximately 150 200 pounds per square inch (psi).Accordingly, low pressure coal seams and other subterranean zones can bedrilled without substantial loss of drilling fluid and contamination ofthe zone by the drilling fluid.

Foam, which may be compressed air mixed with water, may also becirculated down through the articulated drill string 10050 along withthe drilling mud in order to aerate the drilling fluid in the annulus asthe articulated well bore 10040 is being drilled and, if desired, as thewell bore pattern 10060 is being drilled. Drilling of the well borepattern 10060 with the use of an air hammer bit or an air powered downhole motor will also supply compressed air or foam to the drillingfluid. In this case, the compressed air or foam which is used to powerthe down hole motor and bit 10052 exits the articulated drill string10050 in the vicinity of the drill bit 10052. However, the larger volumeof air which can be circulated down the well bore 10012 permits greateraeration of the drilling fluid than generally is possible by airsupplied through the articulated drill string 10050.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating system 10010 for accessing asubterranean zone from a limited surface area in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the articulatedwell bore 10040 is formed as previously described in connection withFIG. 10. The well bore 10012, in this embodiment, includes a portion10070 and an angled portion 10072 disposed between the surface 10014 andthe coal seam 10016. The portion 10070 extends downwardly from thesurface 10014 a predetermined distance to accommodate formation of aradiused portion 10074 and angled portion 10072 to intersect the coalseam 10016 at a desired location. In this embodiment, portion 10070 isillustrated substantially vertical; however, it should be understoodthat portion 10070 may be formed at other suitable orientations toaccommodate surface 10014 and/or coal seam 10016 characteristics. Angledportion 10072 extends from an end of the portion 10070 and extendsdownwardly at a predetermined angle relative to portion 10070 toaccommodate intersection of the coal seam 10016 at the desired location.Angled portion 10072 may be formed having a generally uniform orstraight directional configuration or may include various undulations orradiused portions as required to intersect the coal seam 10016 at adesired location and/or to accommodate various subterranean obstacles,drilling requirements or characteristics.

In one embodiment, to intersect a coal seam 10016 located at a depth ofapproximately 1200 feet below the surface 10014, the portion 10070 maybe drilled to a depth of approximately 300 feet. Radiused portion 10074may be formed having a radius of approximately 400 feet, and angledportion 10072 may be tangentially formed in communication with theradiused portion 10074 at an angle relative to the portion 10070 toaccommodate approximately a 300 foot offset between the portion 10070and the intersection of the angled portion 10072 at the target coal seam10016. However, other suitable drilling depths, drilling radii, angularorientations, and offset distances may be used to form well bore 10012.The well bore 10012 may also be lined with a suitable well casing 10076that terminates at or above the upper level of the coal seam 10016.

The well bore 10012 is logged either during or after drilling in orderto locate the exact depth of the coal seam 10016. As a result, the coalseam 10016 is not missed in subsequent drilling operations, andtechniques used to locate the coal seam 10016 while drilling need not beemployed. The enlarged cavity 10030 is formed in the well bore 10012 atthe level of the coal seam 10016 as previously described in connectionwith FIG. 10. However, as illustrated in FIG. 11, because of the angledportion 10072 of the well bore 10012, the enlarged cavity 10030 may bedisposed at an angle relative to the coal seam 10016. As describedabove, the enlarged cavity 10030 provides a junction for intersection ofthe well bore 10012 and the articulated well bore 10040 to provide acollection point for fluids drained from the coal seam 10016 duringproduction operations. Thus, depending on the angular orientation of theangled portion 10072, the radius and/or vertical dimension of theenlarged cavity 10030 may be modified such that portions of the enlargedcavity 10030 equal or exceed the vertical dimension of the coal seam10016. Angled portion 10072 of the well bore 10012 continues below theenlarged cavity 10030 to form a sump 10032 for the cavity 10030.

After intersection of the enlarged cavity 10030 by the articulated wellbore 10040, a pumping unit 10078 is installed in the enlarged cavity10030 to pump drilling fluid and cuttings to the surface 10014 throughthe well bore 10012. This eliminates the friction of air and fluidreturning up the articulated well bore 10040 and reduces down holepressure to nearly zero. Pumping unit 10078 may include a sucker rodpump, a submersible pump, a progressing cavity pump, or other suitablepumping device for removing drilling fluid and cuttings to the surface10014. Accordingly, coal seams and other subterranean zones having ultralow pressures, such as below 150 psi, can be accessed from the surface.Additionally, the risk of combining air and methane in the well issubstantially eliminated.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating system 10010 for accessing asubterranean zone from a limited surface area in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the articulatedwell bore 10040 is formed as previously described in connection withFIG. 10. The well bore 10012, in this embodiment, includes an angledportion 10080 disposed between the surface 10014 and the coal seam10016. For example, in this embodiment, the angled portion 10080 extendsdownwardly from the surface 10014 at a predetermined angular orientationto intersect the coal seam 10016 at a desired location. Angled portion10080 may be formed having a generally uniform or straight directionalconfiguration or may include various undulations or radiused portions asrequired to intersect the coal seam 10016 at a desired location and/orto accommodate various subterranean obstacles, drilling requirements orcharacteristics.

In one embodiment, to intersect a coal seam 10016 located at a depth ofapproximately 1200 feet below the surface 10014, the angled portion10080 may be drilled at an angle of approximately 20 degrees fromvertical to accommodate approximately a 440 foot offset between thesurface 10014 location of the angled portion 10080 and the intersectionof the angled portion 10080 at the target coal seam 10016. However,other suitable angular orientations and offset distances may be used toform angled portion 10080 of well bore 10012. The well bore 10012 mayalso be lined with a suitable well casing 10082 that terminates at orabove the upper level of the coal seam 10016.

The well bore 10012 is logged either during or after drilling in orderto locate the exact depth of the coal seam 10016. As a result, the coalseam 10016 is not missed in subsequent drilling operations, andtechniques used to locate the coal seam 10016 while drilling need not beemployed. The enlarged cavity 10030 is formed in the well bore 10012 atthe level of the coal seam 10016 as previously described in connectionwith FIG. 10. However, as illustrated in FIG. 11, because of the angledportion 10080 of the well bore 10012, the enlarged cavity 10030 may bedisposed at an angle relative to the coal seam 10016. As describedabove, the enlarged cavity 10030 provides a junction for intersection ofthe well bore 10012 and the articulated well bore 10040 to provide acollection point for fluids drained from the coal seam 10016 duringproduction operations. Thus, depending on the angular orientation of theangled portion 10080, the radius and/or vertical dimension of theenlarged cavity 10030 may be modified such that portions of the enlargedcavity 10030 equal or exceed the vertical dimension of the coal seam10016. Angled portion 10080 of the well bore 10012 continues below theenlarged cavity 10030 to form a sump 10032 for the cavity 10030.

After the well bore 10012, articulated well bore 10040, enlarged cavity10030 and the desired well bore pattern 10060 have been formed, thearticulated drill string 10050 is removed from the articulated well bore10040 and the articulated well bore 10040 is capped. A down holeproduction or pumping unit 10084 is disposed in the well bore 10012 inthe enlarged cavity 10030. The enlarged cavity 10030 provides areservoir for accumulated fluids allowing intermittent pumping withoutadverse effects of a hydrostatic head caused by accumulated fluids inthe well bore. Pumping unit 10084 may include a sucker rod pump, asubmersible pump, a progressing cavity pump, or other suitable pumpingdevice for removing accumulated fluids to the surface.

The down hole pumping unit 10084 is connected to the surface 10014 via atubing string 10086. The down hole pumping unit 10084 is used to removewater and entrained coal fines from the coal seam 10016 via the wellbore pattern 10060. Once the water is removed to the surface 10014, itmay be treated for separation of methane which may be dissolved in thewater and for removal of entrained fines. After sufficient water hasbeen removed from the coal seam 10016, pure coal seam gas may be allowedto flow to the surface 10014 through the annulus of the well bore 10012around the tubing string 10086 and removed via piping attached to awellhead apparatus. At the surface 10014, the methane is treated,compressed and pumped through a pipeline for use as a fuel in aconventional manner. The down hole pumping unit 10084 may be operatedcontinuously or as needed to remove water drained from the coal seam10016 into the enlarged diameter cavity 10030.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating multiple well bore patterns in asubterranean zone through an articulated well bore 10040 intersectingmultiple well bores 10012 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. In this embodiment, four well bores 10012 are used toaccess a subterranean zone through well bore patterns 10060. However, itshould be understood that a varying number of well bores 10012 and wellbore patterns 10060 may be used depending on the geometry of theunderlying subterranean formation, desired access area, productionrequirements, and other factors.

Referring to FIG. 13, four well bores 10012 are formed disposed in aspaced apart and substantially linear formation relative to each otherat the surface 10014. Additionally, the articulated well bore 10040, inthis embodiment, is disposed linearly with the well bores 10012 having apair of well bores 10012 disposed on each side of the surface locationof the articulated well bore 10040. Thus, the well bores 10012 and thearticulated well bore 10040 may be located over a subterranean resourcein close proximity to each other and in a suitable formation to minimizethe surface area required for accessing the subterranean formation. Forexample, according to one embodiment, each of the well bores 10012 andthe articulated well bore 10040 may be spaced apart from each other atthe surface 10014 in a linear formation by approximately twenty fivefeet, thereby substantially reducing the surface area required to accessthe subterranean resource. As a result, the well bores 10012 andarticulated well bore 10040 may be formed on or adjacent to a roadway,steep hillside, or other limited surface area. Accordingly,environmental impact is minimized as less surface area must be cleared.Well bores 10012 and 10040 may also be disposed in a substantiallynonlinear formation in close proximity to each other as described aboveto minimize the surface area required for accessing the subterraneanformation.

As described above, well bores 10012 are formed extending downwardlyfrom the surface and may be configured as illustrated in FIGS. 10-12 toaccommodate a desired offset distance between the surface location ofeach well bore 10012 and the intersection of the well bore 10012 withthe coal seam 10016 or other subterranean formation. Enlarged cavities10030 are formed proximate the coal seam 10016 in each of the well bores10012, and the articulated well bore 10040 is formed intersecting eachof the enlarged cavities 10030. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.10, the bottom hole location or intersection of each of the well bores10012 with the coal seam 10016 is located either linearly or at asubstantially ninety degree angle to the linear formation of the wellbores 10012 at the surface. However, the location and angularorientation of the intersection of the well bores 10012 with the coalseam 10016 relative to the linear formation of the well bores 10012 atthe surface 10014 may be varied to accommodate a desired accessformation or subterranean resource configuration.

Well bore patterns 10060 are drilled within the target subterranean zonefrom the articulated well bore 10040 extending from each of the enlargedcavities 10030. In resource removal applications, resources from thetarget subterranean zone drain into each of the well bore patterns10060, where the resources are collected in the enlarged cavities 10030.Once the resources have been collected in the enlarged cavities 10030,the resources may be removed to the surface through the well bores 10012by the methods described above.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating multiple horizontal well bore patternsin a subterranean zone through an articulated well bore 10040intersecting multiple well bores 10012 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, four well bores10012 are used to collect and remove to the surface 10014 resourcescollected from well bore patterns 10060. However, it should beunderstood that a varying number of well bores 10012 and well borepatterns 10060 may be used depending on the geometry of the underlyingsubterranean formation, desired access area, production requirements,and other factors.

Referring to FIG. 14, four well bores 10012 are formed disposed in aspaced apart and substantially linear formation relative to each otherat the surface 10014. In this embodiment, the articulated well bore10040 is offset from and disposed adjacent to the linear formation ofthe well bores 10012. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the articulated wellbore 10040 is located such that a pair of well bores 10012 are disposedon each side of the articulated well bore 10040 in a directionsubstantially orthogonal to the linear formation of well bores 10012.Thus, the well bores 10012 and the articulated well bore 10040 may belocated over a subterranean resource in close proximity to each otherand in a suitable formation to minimize the surface area required forgas production and coal seam 10016 treatment. For example, according toone embodiment, each of the well bores 10012 may be spaced apart fromeach other at the surface 10014 in a linear formation by approximatelytwenty five feet, and the articulated well bore 10040 may be spacedapart from each of the two medially located well bores 10012 byapproximately twenty five feet, thereby substantially reducing thesurface area required to access the subterranean resource and forproduction and drilling. As a result, the well bores 10012 andarticulated well bore 10040 may be formed on or adjacent to a roadway,steep hillside, or other limited surface area. Accordingly,environmental impact is minimized as less surface area must be cleared.

As described above, well bores 10012 are formed extending downwardlyfrom the surface and may be configured as illustrated in FIGS. 10-12 toaccommodate a desired offset distance between the surface location ofeach well bore 10012 and the intersection of the well bore 10012 withthe coal seam 10016. Enlarged cavities 10030 are formed proximate thecoal seam 10016 in each of the well bores 10012, and the articulatedwell bore 10040 is formed intersecting each of the enlarged cavities10030. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, the bottom holelocation or intersection of each of the well bores 10012 with the coalseam 10016 is located either linearly or at a substantially ninetydegree angle to the linear formation of the well bores 10012 at thesurface. However, the location and angular orientation of theintersection of the well bores 10012 with the coal seam 10016 relativeto the linear formation of the well bores 10012 at the surface 10014 maybe varied to accommodate a desired drainage formation or subterraneanresource configuration.

Well bore patterns 10060 are drilled within the target subterranean zonefrom the articulated well bore 10040 extending from each of the enlargedcavities 10030. In resource collection applications, resources from thetarget subterranean zone drain into each of the well bore patterns10060, where the resources are collected in the enlarged cavities 10030.Once the resources have been collected in the enlarged cavities 10030,the resources may be removed to the surface through the well bores 10012by the methods described above.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for enhanced access to asubterranean resource, such as a coal seam 10016, from a limited surfacearea in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the method begins at step 15000 in which areas to beaccessed and well bore patterns for the areas are identified. Pinnatewell bore patterns may be used to provide optimized coverage for theregion. However, it should be understood that other suitable well borepatterns may also be used.

Proceeding to step 15002, a plurality of well bores 10012 are drilledfrom the surface 10014 to a predetermined depth through the coal seam10016. The well bores 10012 may be formed having a substantially linearspaced apart relationship relative to each other or may be nonlinearlydisposed relative to each other while minimizing the surface arearequired for accessing the subterranean resource. Next, at step 15004,down hole logging equipment is utilized to exactly identify the locationof the coal seam 10016 in each of the well bores 10012. At step 15006,the enlarged cavities 10030 are formed in each of the well bores 10012at the location of the coal seam 10016. As previously discussed, theenlarged cavities 10030 may be formed by under reaming and otherconventional techniques.

At step 15008, the articulated well bore 10040 is drilled to intersecteach of the enlarged cavities 10030 formed in the well bores 10012. Atstep 1510, well bores for well bore patterns such as those described inSection B., for example, are drilled from the articulated well bore10040 into the coal seam 10016 extending from each of the enlargedcavities 10030. After formation of the well bores, lateral well boresfor the well bore pattern are drilled at step 15012. Lateral well boresfor the well bore pattern are formed at step 15014.

At step 15016, the articulated well bore 10040 is capped. Next, at step15018, the enlarged cavities 10030 are cleaned in preparation forinstallation of downhole production equipment. The enlarged cavities10030 may be cleaned by pumping compressed air down the well bores 10012or other suitable techniques. At step 15020, production equipment isinstalled in the well bores 10012. The production equipment may includepumping units and associated equipment extending down into the cavities10030 for removing water from the coal seam 10016. The removal of waterwill drop the pressure of the coal seam and allow methane gas to diffuseand be produced up the annulus of the well bores 10012.

Proceeding to step 15022, water that drains from the well bore patternsinto the cavities 10030 is pumped to the surface 10014. Water may becontinuously or intermittently pumped as needed to remove it from thecavities 10030. At step 15024, methane gas diffused from the coal seam10016 is continuously collected at the surface 10014. Next, atdecisional step 15026, it is determined whether the production of gasfrom the coal seam 10016 is complete. The production of gas may becomplete after the cost of the collecting the gas exceeds the revenuegenerated by the well. Or, gas may continue to be produced from the welluntil a remaining level of gas in the coal seam 10016 is below requiredlevels for mining operations. If production of the gas is not complete,the method returns to steps 15022 and 15024 in which water and gascontinue to be removed from the coal seam 10016. Upon completion ofproduction, the method proceeds from step 15026 to step 15028 where theproduction equipment is removed.

Next, at decisional step 15030, it is determined whether the coal seam10016 is to be further prepared for mining operations. If the coal seam10016 is to be further prepared for mining operations, the methodproceeds to step 15032, where water and other additives may be injectedback into the coal seam 10016 to rehydrate the coal seam 10016 in orderto minimize dust, improve the efficiency of mining, and improve themined product.

If additional preparation of the coal seam 10016 for mining is notrequired, the method proceeds from step 15030 to step 15034, where thecoal seam 10016 is mined. The removal of the coal from the coal seam10016 causes the mined roof to cave and fracture into the opening behindthe mining process. The collapsed roof creates gob gas which may becollected at step 15036 through the well bores 10012. Accordingly,additional drilling operations are not required to recover gob gas froma mined coal seam 10016. Step 15036 leads to the end of the process bywhich a coal seam 10016 is efficiently degasified from the surface. Themethod provides a symbiotic relationship with the mine to removeunwanted gas prior to mining and to rehydrate the coal prior to themining process.

Thus, the present invention provides greater access to subterraneanresources from a limited surface area than prior systems and methods byproviding decreasing the surface area required for dual well systems.For example, a plurality of well bores 10012 may be disposed in closeproximity to each other, for example, in a linearly or nonlinearlyspaced apart relationship to each other, such that the well bores 10012may be located along a roadside or other generally small surface area.Additionally, the well bores 10012 may include angled portions 10020,10072 or 10080 to accommodate formation of the articulated well bore10040 in close proximity to the well bores 10012 while providing anoffset to the intersection of the articulated well bore 10040 with thewell bores 10012.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for enhanced access to asubterranean resource, such as a coal seam 10016, from a limited surfacearea in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the method begins at step 16000 in which areas to beaccessed and well bore patterns for the areas are identified. Pinnatewell bore patterns may be used to provide optimized coverage for theregion. However, it should be understood that other suitable well borepatterns may also be used.

Proceeding to step 16002, the portion 10018 of the well bore 10012 isformed to a predetermined depth. As described above in connection withFIG. 10, the depth of the portion 10018 may vary depending on thelocation and desired offset distance between the intersection of thewell bore 10012 with the coal seam 10016 and the surface location of thewell bore 10012. The angled portion 10020 of the well bore 10012 isformed at step 16004 extending from the portion 10018, and the portion10022 of the well bore 10012 is formed at step 16006 extending from theangled portion 10020. As described above in connection with FIG. 10, theangular orientation of the angled portion 10020 and the depth of theintersection of the angled portion 10020 with the portion 10022 may varyto accommodate a desired intersection location of the coal seam 10016 bythe well bore 10012.

Next, at step 16008, down hole logging equipment is utilized to exactlyidentify the location of the coal seam 10016 in the well bore 10012. Atstep 16010, the enlarged cavity 10030 is formed in the portion 10022 ofthe well bore 10012 at the location of the coal seam 10016. Aspreviously discussed, the enlarged cavity 10030 may be formed by underreaming and other conventional techniques.

At step 16012, the articulated well bore 10040 is drilled to intersectthe enlarged cavity 10030 formed in the portion 10022 of the well bore10012. At step 1614, a well bore for a well bore pattern such as theones described in Section B., for example, is drilled from thearticulated well bore 10040 into the coal seam 10016 extending from theenlarged cavity 10030. After formation of the well bore, lateral wellbores for the well bore pattern are drilled at step 16016. Lateral wellbores for the well bore pattern are formed at step 16018.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for enhanced access to asubterranean resource, such as a coal seam 10016, from a limited surfacearea in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the method begins at step 17000 in which areas to beaccessed and well bore patterns for the areas are identified. Pinnatewell bore patterns may be used to provide optimized coverage for theregion, as described below in Section B. However, it should beunderstood that other suitable well bore patterns may also be used.

Proceeding to step 17002, the portion 10070 of the well bore 10012 isformed to a predetermined depth. As described above in connection withFIG. 11, the depth of the portion 10070 may vary depending on thelocation and desired offset distance between the intersection of thewell bore 10012 with the coal seam 10016 and the surface location of thewell bore 10012. The angled portion 10072 of the well bore 10012 isformed at step 1704 extending downwardly from the portion 10070. Asdescribed above in connection with FIG. 11, the angular orientation ofthe angled portion 10072 may vary to accommodate a desired intersectionlocation of the coal seam 10016 by the well bore 10012.

Next, at step 17006, down hole logging equipment is utilized to exactlyidentify the location of the coal seam 10016 in the well bore 10012. Atstep 17008, the enlarged cavity 10030 is formed in the angled portion10072 of the well bore 10012 at the location of the coal seam 10016. Aspreviously discussed, the enlarged cavity 10030 may be formed by underreaming and other conventional techniques.

At step 17010, the articulated well bore 10040 is drilled to intersectthe enlarged cavity 10030 formed in the angled portion 10072 of the wellbore 10012. At step 17012, a well bore for a well bore pattern such asthose described in Section B., for example, is drilled from thearticulated well bore 10040 into the coal seam 10016 extending from theenlarged cavity 10030. Although any type of well bore pattern may beused, the following describes those of a particular pinnate pattern,which is also described below in Section B. and, in particular, withreference to FIG. 29. After formation of the well bore, a first radiuscurving portion 29314 (FIG. 29) of the lateral well bore for the pinnatewell bore pattern is drilled at step 17014 extending from the well bore.A second radius curving portion 29316 (FIG. 29) of the lateral well boreis formed at step 17016 extending from the first radius curving portion29314 (FIG. 29). The elongated portion 29318 (FIG. 29) of the lateralwell bore is formed at step 1718 extending from the second radiuscurving portion 29316 (FIG. 29). At decisional step 17020, adetermination is made whether additional lateral well bores arerequired. If additional lateral well bores are desired, the methodreturns to step 17014. If no additional lateral well bores are desired,the method ends.

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for enhanced access to asubterranean resource, such as a coal seam 10016, from a limited surfacearea in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the method begins at step 18000 in which areas to beaccessed and well bore patterns for the areas are identified. Pinnatewell bore patterns may be used to provide optimized coverage for theregion. However, it should be understood that other suitable well borepatterns may also be used.

Proceeding to step 18002, the angled portion 10080 of the well bore10012 is formed. As described above in connection with FIG. 12, angularorientation of the angled portion 10080 may vary to accommodate adesired intersection location of the coal seam 10016 by the well bore10012. Next, at step 18004, down hole logging equipment is utilized toexactly identify the location of the coal seam 10016 in the well bore10012. At step 18006, the enlarged cavity 10030 is formed in the angledportion 10080 of the well bore 10012 at the location of the coal seam10016. As previously discussed, the enlarged cavity 10030 may be formedby under reaming and other conventional techniques.

At step 18008, the articulated well bore 10040 is drilled to intersectthe enlarged cavity 10030 formed in the angled portion 10080 of the wellbore 10012. At step 18010, the well bore for the pinnate well borepattern is drilled through the articulated well bore 10040 into the coalseam 10016 extending from the enlarged cavity 10030. After formation ofthe well bore, lateral well bores for the well bore pattern are drilledat step 18012. Lateral well bores off of the lateral well bores formedat step 18012 are formed at step 18014.

Thus, the present invention provides greater access to subterraneanresources from a limited surface area than prior systems and methods bydecreasing the surface area required for dual well systems. For example,according to the present invention, the well bore 10012 may be formedhaving an angled portion 10020, 10072 or 10080 disposed between thesurface 10014 and the coal seam 10016 to provide an offset between thesurface location of the well bore 10012 and the intersection of the wellbore 10012 with the coal seam 10016, thereby accommodating formation ofthe articulated well bore 10040 in close proximity to the surfacelocation of the well bore 10012.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating system 10010 for accessing asubterranean zone 10200 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the well bore 10040 is disposedoffset relative to a pattern of well bores 10012 at the surface 10014and intersects each of the well bores 10012 below the surface 10014. Inthis embodiment, well bores 10012 and 10040 are disposed in asubstantially nonlinear pattern in close proximity to each other tominimize the area required for the well bores 10012 and 10040 on thesurface 10014. In FIG. 19, well bores 10012 are illustrated having aconfiguration as illustrated in FIG. 10; however, it should beunderstood that well bores 10012 may be otherwise configured, forexample, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.

Referring to FIG. 19, well bore patterns 10060 are formed within thezone 10200 extending from cavities 10030 located at the intersectingjunctions of the well bores 10012 and 10040 as described above. Wellbore patterns 10060 may comprise pinnate patterns, as illustrated inFIG. 19, or may include other suitable patterns for accessing the zone10200. As illustrated in FIG. 19, well bores 10012 and 10040 may bedisposed in close proximity to each other at the surface 14 whileproviding generally uniform access to a generally large zone 10200. Forexample, as discussed above, well bores 10012 and 10040 may be disposedwithin approximately 30 feet from each other at the surface whileproviding access to at least approximately 1000 1200 acres of the zone10200. Further, for example, in a nonlinear well bore 10012 and 10040surface pattern, the well bores 10012 and 10040 may be disposed in anarea generally less than five hundred square feet, thereby minimizingthe footprint required on the surface 10014 for system 10010. Thus, thewell bores 10012 and 10040 of system 10010 may be located on the surface10014 in close proximity to each other, thereby minimizing disruption tothe surface 10014 while providing generally uniform access to arelatively large subterranean zone.

F. Slant Well

FIG. 20 illustrates an example slant well system for accessing asubterranean zone from the surface. In the embodiment described below,the subterranean zone is a coal seam. It will be understood that othersubterranean formations and/or low pressure, ultra-low pressure, and lowporosity subterranean zones can be similarly accessed using the slantwell system of the present invention to remove and/or produce water,hydrocarbons and other fluids in the zone, to treat minerals in the zoneprior to mining operations, or to inject or introduce fluids, gases, orother substances into the zone.

Referring to FIG. 20, a slant well system 20010 includes an entry wellbore 20015, slant wells 20020, articulated well bores 20024, cavities20026, and rat holes 20027. Entry well bore 20015 extends from thesurface 11 towards the subterranean zone 20022. Slant wells 20020 extendfrom the terminus of entry well bore 20015 to the subterranean zone20022, although slant wells 20020 may alternatively extend from anyother suitable portion of entry well bore 20015. Where there aremultiple subterranean zones 20022 at varying depths, as in theillustrated example, slant wells 20020 extend through the subterraneanzones 20022 closest to the surface into and through the deepestsubterranean zone 20022. Articulated well bores 20024 may extend fromeach slant well 20020 into each subterranean zone 20022. Cavity 20026and rat hole 20027 are located at the terminus of each slant well 20020.

In FIG. 20, entry well bore 20015 is illustrated as being substantiallyvertical; however, it should be understood that entry well bore 20015may be formed at any suitable angle relative to the surface 20011 toaccommodate, for example, surface 20011 geometries and attitudes and/orthe geometric configuration or attitude of a subterranean resource. Inthe illustrated embodiment, slant well 20020 is formed to angle awayfrom entry well bore 20015 at an angle designated alpha, which in theillustrated embodiment is approximately 20 degrees. It will beunderstood that slant well 20020 may be formed at other angles toaccommodate surface topologies and other factors similar to thoseaffecting entry well bore 20015. Slant wells 20020 are formed inrelation to each other at an angular separation of beta degrees, whichin the illustrated embodiment is approximately sixty degrees. It will beunderstood that slant wells 20020 may be separated by other anglesdepending likewise on the topology and geography of the area andlocation of the target coal seam 20022.

Slant well 20020 may also include a cavity 20026 and/or a rat hole 20027located at the terminus of each slant well 20020. Slant wells 20020 mayinclude one, both, or neither of cavity 20026 and rat hole 20027.

FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate by comparison the advantage of formingslant wells 20020 at an angle. Referring to FIG. 21A, a vertical wellbore 20030 is shown with an articulated well bore 20032 extending into acoal seam 20022. As shown by the illustration, fluids drained from coalseam 20022 into articulated well bore 20032 must travel alongarticulated well bore 20032 upwards towards vertical well bore 20030, adistance of approximately W feet before they may be collected invertical well bore 20030. This distance of W feet is known as thehydrostatic head and must be overcome before the fluids may be collectedfrom vertical well bore 20030. Referring now to FIG. 21B, a slant entrywell 20034 is shown with an articulated well bore 20036 extending intocoal seam 20022. Slant entry well 20034 is shown at an angle alpha awayfrom the vertical. As illustrated, fluids collected from coal seam 20022must travel along articulated well bore 20036 up to slant entry well20034, a distance of W′ feet. Thus, the hydrostatic head of a slantentry well system is reduced as compared to a substantially verticalsystem. Furthermore, by forming slant entry well 20034 at angle alpha,the articulated well bore 20036 drilled from tangent or kick off point20038 has a greater radius of curvature than articulated well bore 20032associated with vertical well bore 20030. This allows for articulatedwell bore 20036 to be longer than articulated well bore 20032 (since thefriction of a drill string against the radius portion is reduced),thereby penetrating further into coal seam 20022 and draining more ofthe subterranean zone.

FIG. 22 illustrates an example method of forming a slant entry well. Themethod begins at step 22100 where the entry well bore is formed. At step22105, a fresh water casing or other suitable casing with an attachedguide tube bundle is installed into the entry well bore formed at step22100. At step 22110, the fresh water casing is cemented in place insidethe entry well bore of step 22100.

At step 22115, a drill string is inserted through the entry well boreand one of the guide tubes in the guide tube bundle. At step 22120, thedrill string is used to drill approximately fifty feet past the casing.At step 22125, the drill is oriented to the desired angle of the slantwell and, at step 22130, a slant well bore is drilled down into andthrough the target subterranean zone.

At decisional step 22135, a determination is made whether additionalslant wells are required. If additional slant wells are required, theprocess returns to step 22115 and repeats through step 22135. Variousmeans may be employed to guide the drill string into a different guidetube on subsequent runs through steps 22115-22135, which should beapparent to those skilled in the art.

If no additional slant wells are required, the process continues to step22140. At step 22140 the slant well casing is installed. Next, at step22145, a short radius curve is drilled into the target coal seam. Next,at step 22150, a substantially horizontal well bore is drilled into andalong the coal seam. It will be understood that the substantiallyhorizontal well bore may depart from a horizontal orientation to accountfor changes in the orientation of the coal seam. Next, at step 22155, adrainage pattern is drilled into the coal seam through the substantiallyhorizontal well. At decisional step 22157, a determination is madewhether additional subterranean zones are to be drained as, for example,when multiple subterranean zones are present at varying depths below thesurface. If additional subterranean zones are to be drained, the processrepeats steps 22145 through 22155 for each additional subterranean zone.If no further subterranean zones are to be drained, the processcontinues to step 22160.

At step 22160, production equipment is installed into the slant well andat step 22165 the process ends with the production of water and gas fromthe subterranean zone.

G. Slant Wells with Non-Common Surface Wells

FIG. 23 illustrates an example slant well system for accessing asubterranean zone from the surface. In the embodiment described below,the subterranean zone is a coal seam. It will be understood that othersubterranean formations and/or zones can be similarly accessed using theslant well system of the present invention to remove and/or producewater, hydrocarbons, and other fluids in the zone, to treat minerals inthe zone prior to mining operations, to inject or introduce fluids,gases, or other substances into the zone or for any other appropriatepurpose.

Referring to FIG. 23, a slant well system 23010 includes entry wellbores 23015, slant wells 23020, articulated well bores 23024, cavities23026, and rat holes 23027. Entry well bores 23015 extend from thesurface 23011 towards the subterranean zone 23022. Slant wells 23020extend from the terminus of each entry well bore 23015 to thesubterranean zone 23022, although slant wells 23020 may alternativelyextend from any other suitable portion of an entry well bore 23015. Asused herein, “each” means all of a particular subset. Where there aremultiple subterranean zones 23022 at varying depths, as in theillustrated example, slant wells 23020 extend through the subterraneanzones 23022 closest to the surface into and through the deepestsubterranean zone 23022. Articulated well bores 23024 may extend fromeach slant well 23020 into each subterranean zone 23022. One or morecavities 23026 may be located along a slant well 23020 and a cavity23026 or a rat hole 23027 may be located at the terminus of each slantwell 23020.

In FIG. 23, entry well bores 23015 are illustrated as beingsubstantially vertical; however, it should be understood that entry wellbores 23015 may be formed at any suitable angle relative to the surface23011 to accommodate, for example, surface geometries and attitudesand/or the geometric configuration or attitude of a subterraneanresource. In the illustrated embodiment, each slant well 23020 is formedto angle away from entry well bore 15 at an angle designated a, which inthe illustrated embodiment is approximately 20 degrees. It will beunderstood that each slant well 23020 may be formed at other angles toaccommodate surface topologies and other factors similar to thoseaffecting entry well bores 23015. In the illustrated embodiment, slantwells 23020 are formed in relation to each other at an angularseparation of approximately sixty degrees. It will be understood thatslant wells 23020 may be separated by other angles depending likewise onthe topology and geography of the area and location of the target coalseam 23022.

Entry well bores 23015 are formed at the surface at a distance of β feetapart. In the illustrated embodiment, entry well bores 23015 areapproximately twenty feet apart. It will be understood that entry wellbores 23015 may be formed at other separations to accommodate surfacetopologies and/or the geometric configuration or attitude of asubterranean resource.

In some embodiments, entry well bores 23015 may be between two feet andone hundred feet apart. In some embodiments, the entry well bores 23015may be located on the same drilling pad. As used herein, “on the samedrilling pad” means located at the same drilling location where drillingoperations are being conducted. In some embodiments, entry well bores23015 are closely spaced together. As used herein, “closely spaced”means on the same drilling pad.

Cavities 23026 may be formed at intervals along slant wells 23020 aboveone or more of articulated well bores 23024. For example, cavities 23026may be formed immediately above an articulated well bore 23024. Cavities23026 may also be formed proximate to the junction of slant well 23020and articulated well bore 23024. As used herein, proximate meansimmediately above, below, or at the junction of slant well 23020 andarticulated well bore 23024. It will be understood that otherappropriate spacing may also be employed to accommodate, for example,sub-surface geometries and attitudes and/or the geometric configurationor attitude of a subterranean resource. Slant well 23020 may alsoinclude a cavity 23026 and/or a rat hole 23027 located at the terminusof each slant well 23020. Slant wells 23020 may include one, both, orneither of cavity 23026 and rat hole 23027.

FIG. 23B illustrates an example method of forming a slant entry well23020. The method begins at step 23100 wherein an entry well bore isformed. At step 23105, a fresh water casing or other suitable casing isinstalled into the entry well bore formed at step 23100. At step 23110,the fresh water casing is cemented in place inside the entry well boreof step 23100.

At step 23115, a drill string is inserted through the entry well bore,and is used to drill approximately fifty feet past the casing. In someembodiments, a short, radiused bore is formed. In some embodiments, theradiused bore may be two hundred feet long and articulate thirty-fivedegrees over its length. It will be understood that other lengths anddegrees may be employed based on the local geology and topography. Atstep 23120, the drill is oriented to the desired angle of the slant welland, at step 23125, a slant well bore is drilled down into and throughthe target subterranean zone. At step 23130, one or more cavities areformed in the slant well.

At step 23135 the slant well casing is installed. Next, at step 23140, ashort radius curve is drilled into the target coal seam. Next, at step23145, a substantially horizontal well bore is drilled into and alongthe coal seam. It will be understood that the substantially horizontalwell bore may depart from a horizontal orientation to account forchanges in the orientation of the coal seam. Next, at step 23150, adrainage pattern is drilled into the coal seam through the substantiallyhorizontal well. The drainage pattern may comprise a pinnate pattern, acrow's foot pattern, or other suitable pattern. At decisional step23155, a determination is made whether additional subterranean zones areto be drained as, for example, when multiple subterranean zones arepresent at varying depths below the surface. If additional subterraneanzones are to be drained, the process repeats steps 23140 through 23155for each additional subterranean zone. If no further subterranean zonesare to be drained, the process continues to step 23160.

At decisional step 23160, a determination is made whether additionalslant wells are required. If additional slant wells are required, theprocess returns along the Yes branch to step 23100 and repeats throughstep 24155. A separate entry well bore may be formed for each individualslant well bore. Thus, for each slant well, the process begins at step23100, wherein a substantially vertical well bore is found. In someembodiments, however, multiple slant wells may be formed from one entrywell bore.

If no additional slant wells are required, the process continues alongthe No branch to step 24165.

At step 23165, production equipment is installed into each slant welland at step 23170 the process ends with the production of water and gasfrom the subterranean zone.

Although the steps have been described in a certain order, it will beunderstood that they may be performed in any other appropriate order.Furthermore, one or more steps may be omitted, or additional stepsperformed, as appropriate.

For example, where multiple target zones are present (as determined atstep 23155), an enlarged diameter cavity may be found (step 23130) aboveeach target zone before any of the short radius curves are drilled (step140). Alternatively, all of the short radius curves may be found in eachtarget zone (step 23140) before any enlarged diameter cavities are found(step 23130). Other suitable modifications will be apparent to oneskilled in the art.

FIG. 24A illustrates entry well bore 23015 and casing 24044 in itsoperative mode as a slant well 23020 is about to be drilled.Corresponding with step 22110 of FIG. 22, a cement retainer 24046 ispoured or otherwise installed around the casing inside entry well bore24015. The cement casing may be any mixture or substance suitable tomaintain casing 24044 in the desired position with respect to entry wellbore 23015. A drill string 24050 is positioned to begin forming a slantwell. In order to keep drill string 24050 relatively centered in casing24044, a stabilizer 24052 may be employed. Stabilizer 24052 may be aring and fin type stabilizer or any other stabilizer suitable to keepdrill string 24050 relatively centered. To keep stabilizer 24052 at adesired depth in well bore 23015, stop ring 24053 may be employed. Stopring 24053 may be constructed of rubber or metal or any other suitabledown-hole environment material.

FIG. 24B illustrates an example system of a slant well 20020.Corresponding with step 23115 of FIG. 23, well bore 24060 is drilledapproximately fifty feet past the end of entry well bore 23015 (althoughany other appropriate distance may be drilled). Well bore 24060 isdrilled away from casing 24044 in order to minimize magneticinterference and improve the ability of the drilling crew to guide thedrill bit in the desired direction. Well bore 24060 may also comprise anarticulated well bore with a radius of thirty-five degrees in twohundred feet.

Corresponding with step 23120 of FIG. 23B, the drill bit is oriented inpreparation for drilling slant entry well bore 24064. Corresponding withstep 23125 of FIG. 23B, a slant entry well bore 24064 is drilled fromthe end of the radius well bore 24062 into and through the subterraneanzone 20022. Alternatively, slant well 20020 may be drilled directly fromentry well bore 20015, without including tangent well bore 24060 orradiused well bore. A rat hole 24066, which is an extension of slantwell 24064, is also formed. Rat hole 24066 may also be an enlargeddiameter cavity or other suitable structure. Corresponding with step23130 of FIG. 23B, a cavity 23026 is formed in slant well 24064.

Cavity 23026 acts as a velocity reduction chamber, separating entrainedliquids from gasses destined for the surface. Without at least onecavity 23026 located closer to the surface than the shallowest lateralwell bore, entrained liquids form a mist that raises down-hole pressure.Friction is increased by the liquids entrained in escaping gasses,creating increased back pressure (down-hole pressure). Reducing the gasvelocity separates out the liquid as the velocity drops below the speedat which the gas can entrain liquids. Cavity 23026 lowers the velocityof the gas enough to separate out the entrained liquids, allowing thegas to proceed to the surface more efficiently.

In the illustrated embodiment, cavity 23026 is shown immediately abovethe expected kick-off point for a subsequent short radiused well bore.It will be understood that cavity 23026 may be otherwise suitablylocated. Moreover, it will be understood that cavity 23026 may also beformed after the horizontal drainage pattern is formed.

FIG. 24C is an illustration of the positioning of the casing in a slantwell 24064. For ease of illustration, only one slant well 24064 isshown. Corresponding with step 23135 of FIG. 23, a whipstock casing24070 is installed into the slant entry well bore 24064. In theillustrated embodiment, whipstock casing 24070 includes a whipstock24072 which is used to mechanically direct a drill string into a desiredorientation. It will be understood that other suitable techniques may beemployed and the use of a whipstock 24072 is not necessary when othersuitable methods of orienting a drill bit through slant well 24064 intothe subterranean zone 23022 are used. Whipstock casing 24070 is orientedsuch that whipstock 24072 is positioned so that a subsequent drill bitis aligned to drill into the subterranean zone 23022 at a desired depth.

FIG. 24C illustrates whipstock casing 24070 and slant entry well bore24064 in further detail. As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 24C,whipstock casing 24070 is positioned within slant entry well bore 24064such that a drill string 24050 will be oriented to pass through slantentry well bore 24064 at a desired tangent or kick off point 24038. Thiscorresponds with step 23140 of FIG. 23B. Drill string 24050 is used todrill through slant entry well bore 24064 at tangent or kick off point24038 to form articulated well bore 24036. In a particular embodiment,articulated well bore 24036 has a radius of approximately seventy-onefeet and a curvature of approximately eighty degrees per one hundredfeet. In the same embodiment, slant entry well 24064 is angled away fromthe vertical at approximately ten degrees. In this embodiment, thehydrostatic head generated in conjunction with production is roughlythirty feet. However, it should be understood that any other appropriateradius, curvature, and slant angle may be used.

FIG. 24E illustrates a slant entry well 24064 and articulated well bore24036 after drill string 24050 has been used to form articulated wellbore 24036. In a particular embodiment, a horizontal well and drainagepattern may then be formed in subterranean zone 23022, as represented bystep 23145 and step 32150 of FIG. 23B.

Referring to FIG. 24E, whipstock casing 24070 is set on the bottom ofrat hole 24066 to prepare for production of oil and gas. A sealer ring24074 may be used around the whipstock casing 24070 to prevent gasproduced from articulated well bore 24036 from escaping outsidewhipstock casing 24070. Gas ports 24076 allow escaping gas to enter intoand up through whipstock casing 24070 for collection at the surface. Asdescribed above, liquids entrained in the escaping gas may be separatedfrom the gas in enlarged diameter cavities 23026 situated above thearticulated well bore 24036. As the liquids separate from the gas, theliquids travel down slant well 24064 and are collected in rat hole24066. Rat hole 24066 may also comprise an enlarged diameter cavity (notshown) to collect liquids arriving from above.

A pump string 24078 and submersible pump 24080 is used to remove waterand other liquids that are collected from the subterranean zone througharticulated well bore 24036. As shown in FIG. 24F, the liquids, underthe power of gravity and the pressure in subterranean zone 23022, passthrough articulated well bore 24036 and down slant entry well bore 24064into rat hole 24066. From there the liquids travel into the opening inthe whipstock 24072 of whipstock casing 24070 where they come in contactwith the installed pump string 24078 and submersible pump 24080.Submersible pump 24080 may be a variety of submersible pumps suitablefor use in a down-hole environment to remove liquids and pump them tothe surface through pump string 24078. Installation of pump string 24078and submersible pump 24080 corresponds with step 23165 of FIG. 23C.Production of liquid and gas corresponds with step 23170 of FIG. 23C.

FIG. 24F illustrates an example drainage pattern 24090 that may bedrilled from articulated well bores 24036. At the center of drainagepattern 24090 is a plurality of entry well bores 23015 on a drilling pad24092 at the surface. In one embodiment, entry well bores 23015 arespaced approximately twenty feet apart. It will be understood that othersuitable spacings may also be employed.

Connecting to each entry well bore 23015 is a slant well 23020. At theterminus of slant well 23020, as described above, are substantiallyhorizontal well bores 24094 roughly forming a “crow's foot” pattern offof each of the slant wells 23020. It will be understood that any othersuitable drainage patterns, for example, a pinnate pattern, may be used.In an example embodiment, the horizontal reach of each substantiallyhorizontal well bore 24094 is approximately three hundred feet.Additionally, the lateral spacing between the parallel substantiallyhorizontal well bores 24094 is approximately eight hundred feet. In thisparticular embodiment, a drainage area of approximately six hundred andforty acres would result.

FIG. 24G illustrates an example tri-pinnate drainage pattern foraccessing deposits in a subterranean zone. In this embodiment, thetri-pinnate pattern 24100 provides access to a substantially hexagonalsubterranean zone. In one particular embodiment, hexagonal areacomprises 763.28 acres; however other suitable acre sizes may beutilized.

The tri-pinnate pattern 24100 includes three discreet well bore patternseach draining a portion of a region covered by the tri-pinnate pattern24100. Each of the well bore patterns includes a main drainage well bore24020 and a set of lateral well bores 24308 extending from the main wellbore 24020. In tri-pinnate pattern 24100, each of the main drainage wellbores 24020 extends from a respective articulated well bore 23015. Thearticulated well bore 23105 of each well bore pattern may initiate froma common surface point 24010. Thus, the articulated well bores 23015 ofeach well bore pattern may initiate together and share a common portionfor a desired distance below the earth's surface before diverging intodifferent directions. Each main drainage well bore 24020 intersects arespective surface well bore 23015. Fluid and/or gas may be removed fromor introduced into the subterranean zone through the respective surfacewell bores 23015 in communication with the main drainage well bores24020. This allows tighter spacing of the surface production equipment,wider coverage of a well bore pattern and reduces drilling equipment andoperations.

Each main drainage well bore 24020 may be formed at a location relativeto other main drainage well bores 24020 to accommodate access to aparticular subterranean region. For example, main drainage well bores24020 may be formed having a spacing or a distance between each otheradjacent main drainage well bores 24020 to accommodate access tosubterranean regions such that only three main drainage well bores 24020are required. Thus the spacing between adjacent main drainage well bores24020 may be substantially equal or may vary to accommodate uniquecharacteristics of a particular subterranean resource. For example, inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 24G, the spacing between each maindrainage well bore 24020 is substantially equal at an angle ofapproximately 120 degrees from each other thereby resulting in each wellbore pattern 24020 extending in a direction approximately 120 degreesfrom an adjacent well bore pattern. However, other suitable number ofwell bores, well bore spacing angles, patterns or orientations may beused to accommodate the characteristics of a particular subterraneanresource.

Each well bore pattern may also include a set of lateral well bores24308 extending from the main drainage well bore 24020. The lateral wellbores 24308 may mirror each other on opposite sides of the main drainagewell bore 24308, as shown, or may be offset from each other along themain drainage well bore 24020. For uniform coverage of the substantiallyhexagonal area, pairs of lateral well bores 24308 may be disposedsubstantially equally spaced on each side of the main well bore 24020and may extend from the main drainage well bore 24020 at an angle ofapproximately 60 degrees. The lateral well bores 24308 may shorten inlength based on progression away from the enlarged diameter cavity inorder to facilitate drilling of the lateral well bores 41308. In thisparticular embodiment, lateral well bores 24308 include a first set24194 and a second shorter set 24196.

II. Drilling Patterns

FIGS. 25-45 (as well as FIGS. 24F and 24G) are related to example wellbore patterns for accessing the coal seam or other subterranean zone inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 25-31, 35, 39, 41, and 44 illustrate examples of well bore ordrainage patterns for accessing the coal seam 15 or other subterraneanzone in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.The patterns may be used to remove or inject water. In theseembodiments, the well bore patterns comprise one or more pinnate wellbore patterns that each have a central diagonal or other main bore withgenerally symmetrically arranged and appropriately spaced lateralsextending from each side of the diagonal. As used herein, the term eachmeans every one of at least a subset of the identified items. It will beunderstood that other suitable multi-branching patterns including orconnected to a surface production bore and having the significantpercentage of their total length at different angles, directions ororientations than each other or the production bore may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

The pinnate patterns approximate the pattern of veins in a leaf or thedesign of a feather in that it has similar, substantially parallel,auxiliary drainage bores arranged in substantially equal and parallelspacing on opposite sides of an axis. The pinnate drainage patterns withtheir central bore and generally symmetrically arranged andappropriately spaced auxiliary drainage bores on each side provide asubstantially uniform pattern for draining fluids from a coal seam 15 orother subterranean formation. The number and spacing of the lateralbores may be adjusted depending on the absolute, relative and/oreffective permeability of the coal seam and the size of the area coveredby the pattern. The area covered by the pattern may be the area drainedby the pattern, the area of a spacing unit that the pattern is designedto drain, the area within the distal points or periphery of the patternand/or the area within the periphery of the pattern as well as thesurrounding area out to a periphery intermediate to adjacent orneighboring patterns. The coverage area may also include the depth, orthickness of the coal seam or, for thick coal seams, a portion of thethickness of the seam. Thus, the pattern may include upward or downwardextending branches in addition to horizontal branches.

In a particular embodiment, for a coal seam having an effectivepermeability of seven millidarcies and a coverage area of three hundredacres, the laterals may be spaced approximately six hundred feet apartfrom each other. For a low permeability coal seam having an effectivepermeability of approximately one millidarcy and a coverage area ofthree hundred acres, the lateral spacing may be four hundred feet. Theeffective permeability may be determined by well testing and/or analysisof long-term production trends.

As described in more detail below, the pinnate patterns may providesubstantially uniform coverage of a quadrilateral or othernon-disjointed area having a high area to perimeter ratio. Coverage issubstantially uniform when, except for pressure due to hydrostatic head,friction or blockage, the pressure differential across the coverage areais less than or equal to twenty psi for a mature well the differentialat any time after an initial month of production is less than twenty psior when less than ten percent of the area bounded by the patterncomprises trapped cells. In a particular embodiment, the pressuredifferential may be less than ten psi. The coverage area may be asquare, other quadrilateral, or other polygon, circular, oval or otherellipsoid or grid area and may be nested with other patterns of the sameor similar type. It will be understood that other suitable well borepatterns may be used in accordance with the present invention.

The pinnate and other suitable well bore patterns drilled from thesurface 14 provide surface access to subterranean formations. The wellbore pattern may be used to uniformly remove and/or insert fluids orotherwise manipulate a subterranean zone. In non-coal applications, thewell bore pattern may be used initiating in-situ burns, “huff-puff”steam operations for heavy crude oil, and the removal of hydrocarbonsfrom low porosity reservoirs. The well bore pattern may also be used touniformly inject or introduce a gas, fluid or other substance into asubterranean zone. For example, carbon dioxide may be injected into acoal seam for sequestration through the pattern.

FIG. 25 illustrates a pinnate well bore pattern 25100 in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the pinnatewell bore pattern 25100 provides access to a substantially square area25102 of a subterranean zone. A number of the pinnate well bore patterns25100 may be used together to provide uniform access to a largesubterranean region.

Referring to FIG. 25, the enlarged cavity 2520 defines a first corner ofthe area 25102. The pinnate pattern 25100 includes a main well bore25104 extending diagonally across the coverage area 25102 to a distantcorner 25106 of the area 25102. In one embodiment, the well bores 25012and 25030 are positioned over the area 25102 such that the main wellbore 25104 is drilled up the slope of the coal seam 25015. This willfacilitate collection of water, gas, and other fluids from the area25102. The well bore 25104 is drilled using the articulated drill string25040 and extends from the enlarged cavity 25020 in alignment with thearticulated well bore 25030.

A plurality of lateral well bores 25110 extend from opposites sides ofwell bore 25104 to a periphery 25112 of the area 25102. The lateralbores 25110 may mirror each other on opposite sides of the well bore25104 or may be offset from each other along the well bore 25104. Eachof the lateral bores 25110 includes a radius curving portion 25114extending from the well bore 25104 and an elongated portion 25116 formedafter the curved portion 25114 has reached a desired orientation. Foruniform coverage of the square area 25102, pairs of lateral bores 25110may be substantially evenly spaced on each side of the well bore 25104and extend from the well bore 25104 at an angle of approximately 45degrees. The lateral bores 25110 shorten in length based on progressionaway from the enlarged cavity 25020 in order to facilitate drilling ofthe lateral bores 25110.

The pinnate well bore pattern 25100 using a single well bore 25104 andfive pairs of lateral bores 25110 may drain a coal seam area ofapproximately 150 acres in size. For this and other pinnate patterns,where a smaller area is to be drained, or where the coal seam has adifferent shape, such as a long, narrow shape, other shapes or due tosurface or subterranean topography, alternate pinnate well bore patternsmay be employed by varying the angle of the lateral bores 25110 to thewell bore 25104 and the orientation of the lateral bores 25110.Alternatively, lateral bores 25110 can be drilled from only one side ofthe well bore 25104 to form a one half pinnate pattern.

As previously described, the well bore 25104 and the lateral bores 25110of pattern 25100 as well as bores of other patterns are formed bydrilling through the enlarged cavity 25020 using the drill string 25040and an appropriate drilling apparatus. During this operation, gamma raylogging tools and conventional measurement while drilling (MWD)technologies may be employed to control the direction and orientation ofthe drill bit so as to retain the well bore pattern within the confinesof the coal seam 25015 and to maintain proper spacing and orientation ofthe well bores 25104 and 25110.

In a particular embodiment, the well bore 25104 and that of otherpatterns are drilled with an incline at each of a plurality of lateralbranch points 25108. After the well bore 25104 is complete, thearticulated drill string 25040 is backed up to each successive lateralpoint 25108 from which a lateral bore 25110 is drilled on each side ofthe well bore 25104. It will be understood that the pinnate drainagepattern 25100 may be otherwise suitably formed.

FIG. 26 illustrates a pinnate well bore pattern 26120 in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, thepinnate well bore pattern 26120 drains a substantially rectangular area26122 of the coal seam 26015. The pinnate well bore pattern 26120includes a main well bore 26124 and a plurality of lateral bores 26126that are formed as described in connection with well bores 26104 and26110 of FIG. 25. For the substantially rectangular area 26122, however,the lateral well bores 26126 on a first side of the well bore 26124include a shallow angle while the lateral bores 26126 on the oppositeside of the well bore 26124 include a steeper angle to together provideuniform coverage of the area 26122.

FIG. 27A illustrates a quad-pinnate well bore pattern 27140 inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Thequad-well bore pattern 27140 includes four discrete sub-patternsextending from a substantial center of the area. In this embodiment, thewells are interconnected in that the articulated bores are drilled fromthe same surface bore. It will be understood that a plurality ofsub-patterns may be formed from main bores extending away from asubstantial center of an area in different directions. The main boresmay be substantially evenly oriented about the center to uniformcoverage and may be the same, substantially the same or different fromeach other.

The sub-patterns may each be a pinnate well bore patterns 27100 thataccesses a quadrant of a region 27142 covered by the pinnate well borepattern 27140. Each of the pinnate well bore patterns 27100 includes amain well bore 27104 and a plurality of lateral well bores 27110extending from the well bore 27104. In the quad-embodiment, each of thewell bores 27104 and 27110 is drilled from a common articulated wellbore 27141 through a cavity. This allows tighter spacing of the surfaceproduction equipment, wider coverage of a well bore pattern, and reducesdrilling equipment and operations.

FIG. 27B illustrates a particular embodiment of a quad-pinnate well borepattern 27200 in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention. This embodiment is analogous to that of FIG. 27A, except thata fewer number of laterals 27210 and 27212 are formed off of the mainwell bore 27204. In this example, each pinnate pattern has a totalfootage of 7804 feet, with an associated drainage area of 157.74 acres.This results in a total drainage are for pattern 27200 of 630.96 acreswith a total drainage footage of 31,216 feet.

FIG. 28 illustrates the alignment of pinnate well bore patterns 28100with planned subterranean structures of a coal seam 28015 fordegasifying and preparing the coal seam 28015 for mining operations inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the coal seam 28015 will be mined using a longwall process.It will be understood that the present invention can be used to degasifycoal seams for other types of mining operations.

Referring to FIG. 28, planned coal panels 28150 extend longitudinallyfrom a longwall 28152. In accordance with longwall mining practices,each panel 28150 will be subsequently mined from a distant end towardthe longwall 28152 and the mine roof allowed to cave and fracture intothe opening behind the mining process. Prior to mining, the pinnate wellbore patterns 28100 are drilled into the panels 28150 from the surfaceto degasify the panels 28150 well ahead of mining operations. Each ofthe pinnate well bore patterns 28100 aligned with the planned longwall28152 and panel 28150 grid and covers portions of one or more panels28150. In this way, a region of a planned mine can be degasified fromthe surface based on subterranean structures and constraints, allowing asubsurface formation to be degasified and mined within a short period oftime.

FIG. 29 illustrates a pinnate well bore pattern 29300 in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, thepinnate well bore pattern 29300 provides access to a substantiallysquare area 29302 of a subterranean zone. As with the other pinnatepatterns a number of the pinnate patterns 29300 may be used together indual, triple, and quad pinnate structures to provide uniform access to alarge subterranean region.

Referring to FIG. 29, the enlarged cavity 250 defines a first corner ofthe area 29302, over which a pinnate well bore pattern 29300 extends.The enlarged cavity 250 defines a first corner of the area 29302. Thepinnate pattern 29300 includes a main well bore 29304 extendingdiagonally across the area 29302 to a distant corner 29306 of the area29302. Preferably, the main well bore 29304 is drilled up the slope ofthe coal seam. This may facilitate collection of water, gas, and otherfluids from the area 29302. The main well bore 29304 is drilled usingthe drill string 40 and extends from the enlarged cavity 29250 inalignment with the articulated well bore 29230.

A plurality of lateral well bores 29310 extend from the opposite sidesof well bore 29304 to a periphery 29312 of the area 29302. The lateralbores 29310 may mirror each other on opposite sides of the well bore29304 or may be offset from each other along the well bore 29304. Eachof the lateral well bores 29310 includes a first radius curving portion29314 extending from the well bore 29304, and an elongated portion29318. The first set of lateral well bores 29310 located proximate tothe cavity 29250 may also include a second radius curving portion 29316formed after the first curved portion 29314 has reached a desiredorientation. In this set, the elongated portion 29318 is formed afterthe second curved portion 29316 has reached a desired orientation. Thus,the first set of lateral well bores 29310 kicks or turns back towardsthe enlarged cavity 29250 before extending outward through theformation, thereby extending the coverage area back towards the cavity29250 to provide enhanced uniform coverage of the area 29302. Foruniform coverage of the square area 29302, pairs of lateral well bores29310 may be substantially evenly spaced on each side of the well bore29304 and extend from the well bore 29304 at an angle of approximately45 degrees. The lateral well bores 29310 shorten in length based onprogression away from the enlarged cavity 29250. Stated another way, thelateral well bores 29310 lengthen based on proximity to the cavity inorder to provide an enlarged and uniform coverage area. Thus, the lengthfrom a tip of each lateral to the cavity is substantially equal and ator close to the maximum reach of the drill string through thearticulated well.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a pinnate well bore pattern 30100 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the pinnate well bore pattern 30100 provides access to asubstantially square area 30102 of a subterranean zone. A number of thepinnate patterns 30100 may be used together to provide uniform access toa large subterranean region.

Referring to FIG. 30, the enlarged cavity 30030 defines a first cornerof the area 30102. The pinnate well bore pattern 30100 includes a mainwell bore 30104 extending diagonally across the area 30102 to a distantcorner 30106 of the area 30102. In one embodiment, the well bore 30104is drilled up the slope of the coal seam 30016. This may facilitatecollection of water, gas, and other fluids from the area 30102. The wellbore 30104 is drilled using the drill string 30050 and extends from theenlarged cavity 30030 in alignment with the articulated well bore 30040.

A set of lateral well bores 30110 extends from opposite sides of wellbore 30104 to a periphery 30112 of the area 30102. The lateral wellbores 30110 may mirror each other on opposite sides of the well bore30104 or may be offset from each other along the well bore 30104. Eachof the lateral well bores 30110 includes a radius curving portion 30114extending from the well bore 30104 and an elongated portion 30116 formedafter the curved portion 30114 has reached a desired orientation. Foruniform coverage of the square area 30102, pairs of lateral well bores30110 may be substantially evenly spaced on each side of the well bore30104 and extend from the well bore 30104 at an angle of approximately45 degrees. However, the lateral well bores 30110 may be formed at othersuitable angular orientations relative to well bore 30104.

The lateral well bores 30110 shorten in length based on progression awayfrom the enlarged diameter cavity 30030. Thus, as illustrated in FIG.30, a distance to the periphery 30112 for pattern 30100 as well as otherpinnate patterns from the cavity or well bores 30030 or 30040 measuredalong the lateral well bores 30110 is substantially equal for eachlateral well bore 30110, thereby enhancing coverage by drillingsubstantially to a maximum distance by each lateral.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 30, well bore pattern 30100 alsoincludes a set of secondary lateral well bores 30120 extending fromlateral well bores 30110. The secondary lateral well bores 30120 maymirror each other on opposite sides of the lateral well bore 30110 ormay be offset from each other along the lateral well bore 30110. Each ofthe secondary lateral well bores 30120 includes a radius curving portion30122 extending from the lateral well bore 30110 and an elongatedportion 30124 formed after the curved portion 30122 has reached adesired orientation. For uniform coverage of the area 30102, pairs ofsecondary lateral well bores 30120 may be disposed substantially equallyspaced on each side of the lateral well bore 30110. Additionally,secondary lateral well bores 30120 extending from one lateral well bore110 may be disposed to extend between secondary lateral well bores 30120extending from an adjacent lateral well bore 30110 to provide uniformcoverage of the area 30102. However, the quantity, spacing, and angularorientation of secondary lateral well bores 30120 may be varied toaccommodate a variety of resource areas, sizes and drainagerequirements. It will be understood that secondary lateral well bores30120 may be used in connection with other main laterals of othersuitable pinnate patterns.

FIG. 31 illustrates an example drainage pattern 31090 that may bedrilled from articulated well bores 31036. At the center of drainagepattern 31090 is entry well bore 31015. Connecting to entry well bore31015 are slant wells 31020. At the terminus of slant well 31020, asdescribed above, are substantially horizontal well bores 31092 roughlyforming a “crow's foot” pattern off of each of the slant wells 31020. Asused throughout this application, “each” means all of a particularsubset. In a particular embodiment, the horizontal reach of eachsubstantially horizontal well bore 31092 is approximately fifteenhundred feet. Additionally, the lateral spacing between the parallelsubstantially horizontal well bores 92 is approximately eight hundredfeet. In this particular embodiment, a drainage area of approximatelytwo hundred and ninety acres would result. In an alternative embodimentwhere the horizontal reach of the substantially horizontal well bore 92is approximately two thousand four hundred and forty feet, the drainagearea would expand to approximately six hundred and forty acres. However,any other suitable configurations may be used. Furthermore, any othersuitable drainage patterns may be used.

FIG. 32 illustrates a plurality of drainage patterns 31090 inrelationship to one another to maximize the drainage area of asubsurface formation covered by the drainage patterns 31090. Eachdrainage pattern 31090 forms a roughly hexagonal drainage pattern.Accordingly, drainage patterns 31090 may be aligned, as illustrated, sothat the drainage patterns 31090 form a roughly honeycomb-typealignment.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating an example undulatingwell bore 33200 for accessing a layer of subterranean deposits 33202.Undulating well bore 33200 may be included as any well bore of thesystems illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 24 or a well bore of any othersystem that may be used to remove and/or produce water, hydrocarbons andother fluids in a layer of subterranean deposits 33202. Alternatively oradditionally, undulating well bore 33200 may be included as any wellbore of a well bore system for the remediation or treatment of acontaminated area within or surrounding the coal seam or for thesequestration of gaseous pollutants and emissions in the coal seam. Forexample, undulating well bore may extend from a single vertical well orfrom a slant well. In a particular embodiment, the layer of subterraneandeposits 33202 may comprise a coal seam or other subterranean zone.Additionally or alternatively, the layer of subterranean deposits maycomprise a thick, single layer of hydrocarbons or other extractablesubstances. For example, the single, thick layer of subterraneandeposits 33202 may be approximately fifty feet thick as measured from anupper boundary 33204 closest to the earth's surface to a lower boundary33206 furthest from the earth's surface. Fifty feet is, however, merelyexemplary. One skilled in the art may recognize that the layer ofsubterranean deposits 33202 may be of any thickness in which anundulating well bore 33200 may be contained. One skilled in the art mayalso recognize that the layer 33202 may include any impurities that maybe separated from the subterranean deposits before or after extraction.Additionally or alternatively, layer of subterranean deposits 33202 mayalso include partings of shale or other impermeable or substantiallyimpermeable material.

In one embodiment of the present invention, undulating well bore 33200may include at least one bending portion 33208, at least one incliningportion 33210, and at least one declining portion 33212. Incliningportion 33210 may be drilled at an inclination sloping toward upperboundary 33204 of layer 33202. Similarly, declining portion 33212 may bedrilled at a declination sloping toward lower boundary 33206 of layer33202. Bending portions 33208 may be located near the upper boundary33204 or lower boundary 33206 and act to reverse the direction of theundulating well bore 33200 to retain the undulating well bore 200 withinthe confines of the layer 33202. In one example embodiment, bendingportion 33208 may include a substantially straight portion beforereversing the direction of undulating well bore 33202. Thus, the humpsof undulating well bore 33200 may be flat at the crest of bendingportions 33208. For example, a bending portion 33208 located near theupper boundary 33204 may level off and extend in a substantiallyhorizontal plane closer to the upper boundary 33204 for some distancebefore curving downward toward the lower boundary 33206. Similarly, abending portion 33208 located near the lower boundary 33206 may leveloff and extend in a substantially horizontal plane closer to the lowerboundary 33206 for some distance before curving upward toward the upperboundary 33204. The three portions 33208, 33210, and 33212 may couple tocomprise a waveform 33213 having a wavelength 33214 and a wave height33215. The wavelength 33214 may be measured from any point on waveform33213 to the next similar point on the waveform 33213. For example,wavelength 33214 may be measured from the top of the crest of a bendingportion 33208 located near the upper boundary 33204 to the top of thecrest of the next bending portion 33208 located near the upper boundary33204. Alternatively, wavelength 33214 may be measured from a pointwhere bending portion 33208 transitions to inclining portion 33210 tothe next point where bending portion 33208 couples to the next incliningportion 33210. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize thatwavelength 33214 may be measured from any of a number of points on awaveform 33213 to the next like point. Further, undulating well bore33200 may comprise one complete waveform 33213, a portion of a waveform33213, or a plurality of waveforms 33213.

In one embodiment of the present invention, undulating well bore 33200may comprise a substantially smooth and wavelike form. In thisembodiment, displacement of undulating well bore 33200 may vary overspace in a periodic manner. Thus, the wavelength 33214 of each waveform33213 may be substantially equal to the wavelength 33214 of every otherwaveform 33213. In this manner, the wavelength 33214 of each waveform33213 may remain substantially constant throughout the length ofundulating well bore 33200. For example, the wavelength 33214 of eachwaveform 33213 may be six hundred feet. Alternatively, the wavelength33214 of each waveform 33213 may be seven hundred feet or any otherlength for effectively accessing layer 33202 of subterranean deposits. Awavelength 33214 of six hundred or seven hundred feet is merelyexemplary. Similarly, the wave height 33215 of each waveform 33213 maybe substantially equal to the wave height 33215 of every other waveform33213, and the wave height 33215 of each waveform 33213 may remainsubstantially constant throughout the entire undulating well bore 33200.The wave height may relate to the thickness of layer 33202. If forexample layer 33202 is eleven feet thick, the wave height 33215 for eachwaveform 33213 may be ten feet. One of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize, however, that a wave height 33215 of ten feet is merelyexemplary. Wave height 33215 may be unrelated to the thickness of layer33202 and may be of any height for effectively accessing layer 33202 ofsubterranean deposits.

In an alternative embodiment, undulating well bore 33200 need not haveperiodic characteristics. The displacement of undulating well bore 33200may vary over space in a non-uniform manner. The wavelength 33214 ofeach waveform 33213 may vary throughout the length of undulating wellbore 33200. For example, the wave length 33214 of the first wave cyclemay be six hundred feet, while the wave length 33214 of the secondwaveform 33213 may be seven hundred feet. Thus, the wave length 33214 ofeach waveform 33213 may vary throughout undulating well bore 33200 andmay be of any number of lengths for effectively accessing layer 33202.Additionally or alternatively, the wave height 33214 of each waveform33213 may vary such that the wave height 33215 of a specific waveform33213 is different from the wave height 33215 of the preceding waveform33213. For example, the wave height 33215 of the first waveform 33213may be ten feet, while the wave height 33215 of the second waveform33213 may be fifteen feet. One of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize, however, that the above described wave heights 33215 aremerely exemplary. The wave height 33215 of each waveform 213 may varyand be of any height for effectively accessing layer 33202.

Further, although undulating well bore 33200 is described as including asubstantially smooth wavelike form, bending portions 33208 may notnecessarily be a perfect curve. For example, bending portions 33208 maylevel off to include a substantially flat portion such that there is nosingle point of each bending portion 33208 constituting an apex.Similarly, inclining portions 33210 and declining portions 33212 may notnecessarily be perfectly straight. One of ordinary skill in the art mayappreciate that a smooth and wavelike form may include normalinaccuracies of drilling. Because operation of a drill string 3340through a layer 33202 of subterranean deposits may not be visuallymonitored, inaccuracies may result in the positioning of the drill bit3344. As a result, drill string 3340 may vary slightly from theoperator's intended path. Such minor variations and deviations do notchange the substantially smooth characteristics of the undulating wellbore 33200. Rather, the minor variations and deviations are within theintended scope of the invention.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating an example undulatingwell bore 33200 for accessing multiple layers 33202 of subterraneandeposits. Undulating well bore 33200 may provide uniform access tomultiple layers 33202 of subterranean deposits that may be separated byimpermeable or substantially impermeable material 33220 such assandstone, shale, or limestone. In this embodiment, bending portions33208, inclining portions 33210, and declining portions 33212 ofundulating well bore 33200 may be formed as previously described inconnection with FIG. 33.

Referring again to FIG. 34, wave height 33215 may be of a sufficientheight to allow undulating well bore 33200 to intersect multiple coalseams or multiple layers 33202 of any other subterranean deposits. Forexample, bending portions 33208 may alternate to reach an upper layer33202 a of subterranean deposits and a lower layer 33202 b ofsubterranean deposits. Although only two layers 33202 a and 33202 b areshown in FIG. 34, undulating well bore 33200 may intersect anyappropriate number of layers 33202. For example, inclining portions33210 and declining portions 33212 may travel through a number of layersof subterranean deposits 33202 separated by multiple layers ofimpermeable or substantially impermeable material 33220. As will bedescribed below, undulating well bore 33200 may form some or all of amain drainage well bore and/or a one or more lateral well bores. As wasdescribed with regard to FIG. 33, many modifications and variations maybe made to undulating well bore 33200. For example, the wave height33215 and wave length 33214 of a waveform 33213 may have periodic ornon-periodic characteristics. Additionally, inaccuracies from drillingdo not change the substantially smooth characteristics of the undulatingwell bore 33200. These variations and modifications are within theintended scope of the invention.

FIG. 35 is an isometric diagram illustrating an example drainage pattern33300 of undulating well bores for accessing deposits in a subterraneanzone. In the depicted embodiment, the substantially horizontal portionsof both the main drainage well bore and the lateral well boresillustrated in FIGS. 25 through 32, are replaced with undulating wellbore 33200. Thus as illustrated, the system of FIG. 35 includes anundulating main well bore 33302 with undulating lateral well bores 33304for the removal and production of entrained water, hydrocarbons, andother deposits or for use in remediation of contaminated areas in orsurrounding the coal seam. Alternatively, drainage pattern 33300 mayinclude, however, an undulating main drainage well bore 33302 withsubstantially horizontal lateral well bores, a substantially horizontalmain drainage well bore with undulating lateral well bores 33304, or anyother combination thereof to remove and produce entrained water,hydrocarbons, and other subterranean deposits. As was previouslydescribed, pinnate drainage pattern 33300 may provide access to asingle, thick layer 33202 of subterranean deposits as was described withregard to FIG. 33. Alternatively, the pinnate drainage pattern 33300 mayprovide access to multiple layers 33202 of subterranean depositsseparated by impermeable or substantially impermeable material 33220such as sandstone, shale, or limestone, as was described with regard toFIG. 34.

In particular embodiments, undulating main drainage well bore 33302 mayreplace the main drainage well bore, replace main well bore, or extendfrom the substantially horizontal portion of the articulated well bore30. For example, after the enlarged diameter cavity has beensuccessfully intersected by the articulated well bore, drilling maycontinue through the cavity using the articulated drill string andappropriate horizontal drilling apparatus to form drainage pattern33300. Thus, undulating main drainage well bore 33302 may initiate fromthe cavity. During this operation, gamma ray logging tools andconventional MWD devices may be employed to control and direct theorientation of the drill bit to direct the undulating main drainage wellbore 33302 on its intended path through a layer or layers 33202 ofsubterranean deposits.

Additionally, a plurality of lateral well bores 33304 may extend fromopposite sides of the undulating main drainage well bore 33302 to aperiphery of the area being drained. Thus, a first set of lateral wellbores 33304 may extend in spaced apart relation to each other from afirst side portion of undulating well bore 33302. Similarly, a secondset of lateral well bores 33304 may extend in spaced apart relation toeach other from a second, opposite side portion of undulating maindrainage well bore 33302. The lateral well bores 33304 may mirror eachother on opposite sides of the undulating main drainage well bore 33302or may be offset from each other along the undulating main drainage wellbore 33302. In particular embodiments, pairs of lateral well bores 33304may be substantially evenly spaced on each side of the undulating maindrainage well bore 33302 and extend from the main drainage well bore33302 at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, a pair of lateralwell bores 33304 may extend from opposite sides of the undulating maindrainage well bore 33302 at intervals corresponding to each wave for33213. For example, a pair of lateral well bores 33304 may extend fromeach bending portion 33308 located closest to the earth's surface.Additionally or alternatively, lateral well bores 33304 may extend fromeach bending portion 33308 located further from the earth's surface.Thus, some lateral well bores 33304 may initiate near the surface, whileother lateral well bores 33304 may initiate away from the surface.

By initiating lateral well bores 33304 from different depths within thesubterranean zone, drainage pattern 33300 may provide access to asingle, thick layer 33202 of subterranean deposits as was described withregard to FIG. 33. Alternatively, drainage pattern 33300 may provideaccess to multiple layers 33202 of subterranean deposits separated byimpermeable or substantially impermeable material 33220, as wasdescribed with regard to FIG. 34. In the latter embodiment, alternatingbending portions 33308 may be located in different layers ofsubterranean deposits. For example, the first bending portion 33308 maybe located in a layer 33202 a closer to the earth's surface while thesecond bending portion 33308 may be located in a lower layer 33202 bfurther from the earth's surface. Lateral well bores 33304 may extendfrom each bending portion 33308 or from alternate bending portions33308. Consequently, the drainage pattern formed by undulating maindrainage well bore 33302 and lateral well bores 33304 may be customizedas is necessary to optimize the draining of the layer of subterraneandeposits.

Each lateral well bore 33304 may include a radiused portion 33114 and anelongated portion 33116. The radiused portion 33114 may connect thelateral well bore 33304 to the undulating main drainage well bore 33302at a predetermined radius of curvature. The appropriate radius ofcurvature may be dictated by drilling apparatus capabilities. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the radius of curvature of thebending portion 33308 of undulating main drainage well bore 33302 may besubstantially equal to the radius of curvature of the radiused portion33114 of lateral well bore 33304. For example, if the radius ofcurvature for radiused portion 33114 is three hundred feet, the radiusof curvature for bending portions 33308 may also be three hundred feet.Elongated portion 33116 may then extend from the radiused portion 33114to the periphery of the area. A radius of curvature of three hundredfeet is provided merely as an example. One skilled in the art mayrecognize that the radius of curvature may include any appropriateradius of curvature for effectively drilling lateral well bores 33304.

Referring again to FIG. 35, lateral well bores 33304 are depicted asextending from bending portions 33308 of undulating main drainage wellbore 33302. Lateral well bores 33304 may extend, however, from anyportion of undulating main drainage well bore 33302. Thus, lateral wellbores 33304 may additionally or alternatively extend from incliningportions 33310 and/or declining portions 33312. Further, althoughlateral well bores 33304 may extend from undulating main drainage wellbore 33302 at evenly spaced intervals, lateral well bores 33304 mayextend from undulating well bore 33302 at any interval. Thus, thehorizontal distance between lateral well bores 33304 along undulatingmain drainage well bore 33302 may vary. Regardless of the location of orspacing between lateral well bores 33304, lateral bores 33304 may beformed by drilling through the enlarged cavity using the articulateddrill string and an appropriate drilling apparatus. During thisoperation, gamma ray logging tools and conventional MWD technologies maybe used to control the direction and orientation of the drill bit tomaintain the desired spacing and orientation of the lateral well bores33304.

In particular example embodiments and as shown in FIG. 35, each lateralwell bore 33304 may comprise an undulating well bore 33200. For example,undulating well bore 33200 may replace the elongated portion that isformed after the radiused portion 33314 has reached a desiredorientation. Each lateral well bore 33304 may then include one or morebending portions 33314, inclining portions 33316, and/or decliningportions 33318. In a particular embodiment, the radius of curvature ofbending portions 33308 and/or 33314 may be substantially equal to theradius of curvature of the radiused portion 33114 that connects thelateral well bore 33304 to the main drainage well bore 33302.Alternatively, the radius of curvature of bending portions 33308 and/or33314 may be different from the radius of curvature of radiused portion33114.

A number of variations and modifications may be made to drainage pattern33300. The present invention is intended to compass all such variationsand modifications. Thus, FIG. 35 is merely an example embodiment ofdrainage pattern 33300. Drainage pattern 33300 may include an undulatingmain drainage well bore 33304 with undulating lateral well bores 33304,an undulating main drainage well bore 33304 with substantiallyhorizontal lateral well bores, a substantially horizontal main well borewith undulating lateral well bores 33304, or any other combinationthereof to remove and produce entrained water, hydrocarbons, and otherdeposits, to treat contaminated areas within single, thick layer 33202of subterranean deposits, or to sequester gaseous emissions orpollutants within layer 33202. Additionally, one skilled in the art mayrecognize, that portions of well bores described as substantiallyhorizontal need not be perfectly horizontal. Where the layer 33202 ofsubterranean deposits is not perfectly horizontal, the well bore may bedrilled to conform with the planar orientation of the layer 33202. Forexample, if layer 33202 is inclined, the substantially horizontal wellbore may also be inclined in conformity with the plane of the layer33202. Alternatively, if layer 33202 slopes downwardly away from theearth's surface, the substantially horizontal well bore may also slopedownwardly away from the earth's surface. One skilled in the art mayalso recognize that the length of the undulating well bores may beincreased to maximize the area horizontally covered by the undulatingwell bores, and the height of the undulating well bores may be increasedto maximize the area vertically covered by the undulating well bores.

FIG. 36 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for producinggas from a subterranean zone. In this embodiment, the method begins atstep 36400 in which areas to be drained and drainage patterns to be usedin the areas are identified. For example, the drainage patternsdescribed above may be used to provide optimized coverage for theregion. It will be understood that any other suitable patterns may alsoor alternatively be used to degasify subterranean zone deposits in oneor more layers 33202.

Proceeding to step 36402, the substantially vertical well is drilledfrom the surface through the subterranean zone. Next, at step 36404,down hole logging equipment is used to exactly identify the location ofthe target layer of subterranean deposits in the substantially verticalwell bore. At step 36406, the enlarged diameter cavity is formed in thesubstantially vertical well bore at a location within the target layer33202 of subterranean deposits. As previously discussed, the enlargeddiameter cavity may be formed by under reaming and other conventionaltechniques. Next, at step 36408, the articulated well bore is drilled tointersect the enlarged diameter cavity. It should be understood thatalthough the drilling of a dual well system is described in steps36402-36408, any other appropriate technique for drilling intosubterranean deposits may be used. After the subterranean deposits arereached, a drainage pattern may then be drilled in the deposits, asdescribed below.

At decisional step 36410, it is determined whether the main well bore ofthe drainage pattern should comprise an undulating well bore 33200. Inmaking the determination, the size and accessibility of the layer orlayers 33202 of subterranean deposits should be considered. In aparticular embodiments of the present invention, it may be desirable todrill a substantially straight main well bore. Alternatively, it may bedesirable to drill an undulating main well bore 33200, which may provideaccess to minerals within a single, thick layer 33202 of subterraneandeposits. Undulating main well bore 33200 may also provide access tomultiple layers 33202 of subterranean deposits that may be separated byimpermeable or substantially impermeable material 33220 such as shale,limestone, or sandstone. If it is determined at decisional step 36410that the main well bore should comprise an undulating well bore 33202,the undulating well bore 33202 is drilled at step 36412. If, on theother hand, a substantially horizontal main well bore is desired, astandard, straight main well bore may be drilled at step 36414.

At decisional step 36416, a determination is made as to whether thelateral well bores should be drilled. The lateral well bores may bedrilled from the main well bore and extended to a periphery of the areato be drained. The lateral well bores may provide access to a greaterarea of the layer or layers 33202 of subterranean deposits. If atdecisional step 36416, it is determined that the lateral well bores 110should not be drilled, steps 36418 through 36422 are skipped and themethod proceeds directly to decisional step 36424. Instead, if it isdetermined at decisional step 36416 that the lateral well bores shouldbe drilled, a determination is made at decisional step 36418 as towhether one or more of the lateral well bores should comprise anundulating well bore 33202. In one embodiment of the present invention,it may be desirable to drill substantially straight lateral well bores.Alternatively, it may be desirable to drill undulating lateral wellbores, which may provide access to minerals within a single, thick layer33202 of subterranean deposits or to minerals within multiple layers33202 of subterranean deposits separated by impermeable or substantiallyimpermeable material 33220. If it is determined that one or more lateralwell bores should comprise undulating well bores 33202, undulatinglateral well bores 33304 are drilled at step 36420. Alternatively, if itis determined at decisional step 36418 that lateral well bores should bedrilled to include a substantially straight elongated portion, standardsubstantially straight well bores are drilled at step 33422. The methodthen proceeds to step 36424.

At step 36424, the articulated well bore may be capped. Next, at step36426, the enlarged cavity may be cleaned in preparation forinstallation of downhole production equipment. The enlarged diametercavity may be cleaned by pumping compressed air down the substantiallyvertical well bore or by other suitable techniques. At step 36428,production equipment is installed in the substantially vertical wellbore. The production equipment may include a sucker rod pump extendingdown into the cavity. The sucker rod pump may be used to remove waterfrom the layers 33202 of subterranean deposits. The removal of waterwill drop the pressure of the subterranean layers 33202 and allow gas todiffuse and be produced up the annulus of the substantially verticalwell bore.

Proceeding to step 36430, water that drains from the drainage patterninto the cavity is pumped to the surface with the rod pumping unit.Water may be continuously or intermittently pumped as needed to removeit from the cavity. Additionally or alternatively, the drainage patternmay be used for environmental remediation purposes to treat or recoverunderground contaminants posing a danger to the environment. Forexample, the drainage pattern and cavity may be used to inject atreatment solution into a contaminated coal seam or surrounding area,recover byproducts from the contaminated coal seam or surrounding area,or strip recoverable products. The drainage pattern may also be used forthe sequestration of gaseous emissions. For example, gaseous emissionssuch as carbon dioxide entrained in a carrier medium may be injectedinto the pattern with the aid of a surface pump. At step 36434, gasdiffused from the subterranean zone is continuously collected at thesurface. Upon completion of production, the method is completed.

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating an example multi-planewell bore pattern 37300 for accessing deposits in a single, thick layer37302 of subterranean deposits. The multi-plane well bore pattern 37300may include one or more ramping well bores 37304 that may be used toremove and/or produce water, hydrocarbons, and other fluids in layer37302. Ramping well bores 37304 may also be used in remediationprocesses to treat or remove contaminants in a coal seam or thesurrounding area or in sequestration processes to dispose of gaseouspollutants and emissions. In one example embodiment, layer 37302 ofsubterranean deposits may comprise a coal seam or other subterraneanzone. Additionally or alternatively, layer 37302 of subterraneandeposits may comprise a thick, single layer of hydrocarbons or otherextractable substances. For example, the single, thick layer 37302 maybe approximately fifty feet thick as measured from an upper boundary37310 closest to the earth's surface to a lower boundary 37312 furthestfrom the earth's surface. Fifty feet is, however, merely exemplary; oneskilled in the art may recognized that layer 37302 may be of anythickness appropriate for drainage by multi-plane well bore pattern37300. One skilled in the art may also recognize that the layer 37302may include any impurities that may be separated from the subterraneandeposits before or after extraction. Additionally or alternatively,layer 37302 of subterranean deposits may also include partings of shaleor other impermeable or substantially impermeable material.

Each ramping well bore 37304 may include a radiused portion 37314 and anelongated portion 37316. The radiused portion 37314 may connect theramping well bore 37304 to a substantially horizontal well bore 37308 ata predetermined radius of curvature. The appropriate radius of curvaturemay be dictated by drilling apparatus capabilities and/or by thedimensions of the area to be drained by the multi-plane drainage pattern37300. Radiused portion 37314 may then transition to an elongatedportion 37316. Elongated portion 37316 may extend in a substantiallyvertical, inclined, or declined direction to a distant point withinlayer 37302. One skilled in the art may recognize that elongated portion37316 may not necessarily include a perfectly straight well bore. It maybe appreciated that the path of elongated portion 37316 may includenormal inaccuracies of drilling. Because operation of a drill string3740 through a subterranean zone may not be visually monitored,inaccuracies may result in the positioning of the drill bit. As aresult, drill string 3740 may vary slightly from the operator's intendedpath. Such minor variations and deviations do not change thesubstantially vertical characteristics of elongated portion 37316.Rather, minor variations and deviations are within the intended scope ofthe invention. In other particular embodiments, ramping well bore 37304may extend from the substantially horizontal well bore 37308 such thatelongated portion 37316 is offset at any appropriate angle from thesubstantially horizontal well bore 37308.

Ramping well bores 37304 may extend upwardly from the substantiallyhorizontal well bore 37308 toward the upper boundary 37310 of the layer37302. Alternatively or additionally, ramping well bores 37304 mayextend downwardly from the substantially horizontal well bore 37308toward the lower boundary 37312 of the layer 37302. Ramping well bores37304 may extend in a substantially vertical direction to a distantpoint within layer 37302. Thus, in one embodiment, multi-plane drainagepattern 37300 may include a first set of ramping well bores 37304 aextending from an upper portion of the substantially horizontal wellbore 37308 and a second set of ramping well bores 37304 b extending froma lower portion of the substantially horizontal well bore 37308. Thefirst and second sets of ramping well bores 37304 may mirror each otheron opposite sides of the substantially horizontal well bore 37308 or maybe offset from each other along the substantially horizontal well bore37308. Thus, upwardly ramping well bores 37304 a and downwardly rampingwell bores 37304 b need not necessarily extend from similar points alongthe substantially horizontal well bore 37308.

Further, ramping well bores 37304 may be substantially evenly spacedalong the upper and lower portions of the substantially horizontalportion 37308. For example, ramping well bores 37304 a may extendupwardly from substantially horizontal well bore 37308 at evenly spacedintervals of one hundred feet. Similarly, ramping well bores 37304 b mayextend downwardly from the substantially horizontal well bore 37308 atevenly spaced intervals of one hundred feet. In other embodiments, thespacing between ramping well bores 37304 may vary. Thus, the intervalspacing between the first ramping well bore 37304 and the second rampingwell bore 37304 may approximate one hundred feet; the interval spacingbetween the second ramping well bore 37304 and the third ramping wellbore 37304 may approximate instead two hundred feet. One skilled in theart may recognize that the above described interval spacings are merelyprovided as an example. The interval spacings may include anyappropriate interval spacing for effectively drilling ramping well bores37304.

In particular embodiments, substantially horizontal well bore 37308 maybe the main well bore of a drainage pattern. Substantially horizontalwell bore 37308 may lie in the substantially horizontal plane of layer37302 and intersect the large diameter cavity of the substantiallyvertical well bore. Although well bore 37308 is described assubstantially horizontal, one skilled in the art may recognize thatsubstantially horizontal well bore 37308 need not necessarily beperfectly horizontal where the layer is not perfectly horizontal.Rather, substantially horizontal merely implies that the well bore 37308is in conformance with the shape of the layer 37302. Thus, if layer37302 inclines upward toward the earth's surface, substantiallyhorizontal well bore 37308 may also incline toward the earth's surfacein conformance with the plane of the layer 37302.

In other embodiments, substantially horizontal well bore 37308 mayalternatively or additionally be lateral well bore extending from a maindrainage well bore. For example, substantially horizontal portion 37308may replace all or a part of the elongated portion of the lateral wellbore. Multi-plane well bore pattern 37300 may merely include a maindrainage well bore with ramping well bores 37304. Alternatively,multi-plane well bore pattern 37300 may include a main drainage wellbore, lateral well bores, and ramping well bores 37304 extending fromthe main drainage well bore and/or the lateral well bores or any othercombination thereof. Because ramping well bores 37304 may extend fromlateral well bores or main drainage well bores, multi-plane drainagepattern may be modified as appropriate to adequately drain layer 37302.

Other variations and modifications may also be made to multi-plane wellbore pattern 37300. Although FIG. 37 depicts a plurality of upwardlyramping well bores 37304 a and downwardly ramping well bores 37304 bextending from opposite sides of the substantially horizontal well bore37308, multi-plane well bore pattern 37300 may include only upwardlyramping well bores 37304 a or only downwardly ramping well bores 37304b. Additionally, upwardly ramping well bores 37304 a and downwardlyramping well bores 37304 b may mirror one another from opposite sides ofthe substantially horizontal portion 37308 or may be offset from oneanother. These modifications and others may be made to multi-plane wellbore pattern 37300 as appropriate to allow for the removal andproduction of hydrocarbons and other mineral deposits from layer 37302.Gamma ray logging tools and conventional MWD technologies may be used tocontrol the direction and orientation of the drill bit so as to retainthe multi-plane drainage pattern 37300 within the confines of the upperboundary 37310 and lower boundary 37312, if appropriate, and to maintainproper spacing and orientation of ramping well bores 37304 and lateralwell bores.

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating an example multi-planedrainage pattern 37400 for accessing deposits in multiple layers 37402of subterranean deposits. Multi-plane drainage pattern 37400 may provideaccess to multiple layers 37402 of subterranean deposits that may beseparated by impermeable or substantially impermeable material 37404such as sandstone, shale, or limestone. In this embodiment,substantially horizontal portion 37308, upwardly ramping well bore 37304a, and downwardly ramping well bore 37304 b may be formed as previouslydescribed in connection with FIG. 37.

Elongated portion 37316 of upwardly ramping well bores 37304 a anddownwardly ramping well bores 37304 b may be of sufficient length toallow multi-plane drainage pattern 37400 to intersect multiple coalseams or multiple layers 37402 of any other subterranean zone. Forexample, ramping well bores 37304 may extend in a substantially verticalplane to provide access to an upper layer 37402 a and a lower layer37402 c. Although only three subterranean layers 37402 a-c are shown inFIG. 37, multi-plane drainage pattern 37400 may intersect anyappropriate number of subterranean layers 37402 to effectively drain thesubterranean zone. For example, upwardly ramping well bores 37304 a anddownwardly ramping well bores 37304 b may travel through a number ofsubterranean layers 37402 separated by multiple layers of impermeable orsubstantially impermeable material 37404.

As was described with regard to FIG. 37, multi-plane drainage pattern37400 may also include ramping well bores 37304 that extend fromopposite portions of the elongated portion of the lateral well bores.Because ramping well bores 37304 may extend from lateral well bores ormain drainage well bore, multi-plane drainage pattern 37400 may bemodified as appropriate to adequately drain multiple layers 37402 ofsubterranean deposits. Thus, multi-plane well bore pattern 37400 maymerely include a main drainage well bore with ramping well bores 37304.As alternative embodiments, multi-plane well bore pattern 37400 mayinclude a main drainage well bore, lateral well bores, ramping wellbores 37304 extending from the main drainage well bore and/or thelateral well bores, or any combination thereof. Other modifications andvariations described with regard to FIG. 37 may be made to multi-planedrainage pattern 37400 as appropriate.

FIG. 39 is an isometric diagram illustrating an example multi-planedrainage pattern 39500 for accessing deposits in a subterranean zone. Inthis embodiment, the substantially horizontal portions of both the maindrainage well bore and the elongated portions of lateral well bores, arereplaced with the substantially horizontal well bore 39308 describedwith regard to FIGS. 37 and 38. Thus, as illustrated, drainage pattern39500 includes ramping well bores 39504 extending from the main drainagewell bore 39508 and extending from each lateral well bore 39510.Alternatively, however, drainage pattern 39500 may include a maindrainage well bore 39508 with ramping well bores 39504, lateral wellbores 39510 extending from a main drainage well bore 39508 with rampingwell bores 39504, or any combination thereof for producing entrainedwater, hydrocarbons, and other fluids from one or more layers. As waspreviously described, the multi-plane drainage pattern 39500 may provideaccess to a single, thick layer 39302 of subterranean deposits as wasdescribed with regard to FIG. 37. Alternatively, multi-plane drainagepattern 39500 may provide access to multiple layers 39402 ofsubterranean deposits separated by impermeable or substantiallyimpermeable material such as sandstone, shale, or limestone, as wasdescribed with regard to FIG. 38.

In particular embodiments of the present invention, lateral well bores39510 may extend from opposite sides of main drainage well bore 39508 toa periphery of the area being drained. Thus, a first set of lateral wellbores 39510 a may extend in spaced apart relation to each other from oneside of main drainage well bore 39508. Similarly, a second set oflateral well bores 39510 may extend in spaced apart relation to eachother from a second, opposite side of main drainage well bore 39508. Thefirst and second sets of lateral well bores 39510 may mirror each otheror may be offset from each other along the main drainage well bore39508. In particular embodiments, pairs of lateral well bores 39510 maybe substantially evenly spaced on each side of the main drainage wellbore 39508 and extend from the main drainage well bore 39508 at an angleof approximately 45 degrees.

The interval spacing between ramping well bores 39504 may correspond tothe spacing interval between lateral well bores 39510. If, for example,lateral well bores 39510 extend from the main drainage well bore 39508at three hundred foot intervals, ramping well bores 39504 may alsoextend from the same point at three hundred foot intervals. In theillustrated embodiment of the present invention, a pair of lateral wellbores 39510 and at least one ramping well bore 39504 intersect the maindrainage well bore 39508 at a single location. The at least one rampingwell bore 39304 may comprise an upwardly ramping well bore 39504 a, adownwardly ramping well bore 39504 b, or both. In an alternateembodiment, the at least one ramping well bore 39504 and pair of lateralwell bores 39510 may not intersect the main drainage well bore 39508 ata single location. Additionally, the spacing between ramping well bores39504 may not correspond to the spacing between lateral well bores39510. For example, the interval spacing between ramping well bores39504 may approximate three hundred feet, while the interval spacingbetween lateral well bores 39510 may approximate one hundred feet. Oneskilled in the art may recognize that the spacings described are merelyexemplary. Any appropriate interval spacing may be used to adequatelycover the area to be drained.

Further, the interval spacing between ramping well bores 39504 and/orlateral well bores 39510 may vary along main drainage well bore 39508.For example, the interval spacing between the first ramping well bore39504 and the second ramping well bore 39504 may be approximately threehundred feet and the interval spacing between the second ramping wellbore 39504 and the third ramping well bore 39504 may be approximatelytwo hundred feet. Similarly, the interval spacing between the firstlateral 39510 and the second lateral 39510 may be approximately onehundred feet, and the interval spacing between the second lateral 39510and the third lateral 39510 may be approximately fifty feet. Theinterval spacings given above are also only exemplary. One skilled inthe art may recognize that the interval spacings separating ramping wellbores 39504 and/or lateral well bores 39510 may be any appropriateinterval to provide access to the one or more layers of subterraneandeposits.

Each lateral well bore 39510 may also include a radiused portion 39514and an elongated portion 39516. The radiused portion 39514 may connectthe lateral well bore 39510 to the main drainage well bore 39508 at apredetermined radius of curvature. The appropriate radius of curvaturemay be dictated by drilling apparatus capabilities and/or by thedimensions of the area to be drained by the multi-plane well borepattern 39500. As previously described, each ramping well bore 39504 mayinclude a radiused portion 39518 and an elongated portion 39520.

In particular embodiments, the radius of curvature of the radiusedportion 39518 of the ramping well bore 39504 may be substantially equalto the radius of curvature of the radiused portion 39514 of the lateralwell bores 39510. For example, if the radius of curvature for radiusedportion 39514 is three hundred feet, the radius of curvature forradiused portion 39518 may also be three hundred feet. Alternatively,the radius of curvature of the radius portion 39518 of the ramping wellbore 39504 may not correspond with the radius of curvature of theradiused portion 39514 of the lateral well bore 39510. Thus, while theradius of curvature for radiused portion 39514 may be approximatelythree hundred feet, the radius of curvature of radiused portion 39518may be approximately two hundred feet. Accordingly, the multi-planedrainage pattern 39500 may be customized as is necessary to optimize thedraining of the one or more layers of subterranean deposits. Theinvention is not limited to the radius of curvature dimensions givenabove. Rather, the radius of curvature dimensions are merely exemplary.It may be recognized by one skilled in the art that the radius ofcurvature of either radiused portion 39514 or 39518 may be anyappropriate radius of curvature to provide access to the layer or layersof subterranean deposits.

A number of other variations and modifications may also be made tomulti-plane well bore pattern 39500 as appropriate to allow for theremoval and production of hydrocarbons and other mineral deposits fromone or more layers of subterranean deposits. For example, although FIG.39 depicts a plurality of upwardly ramping well bores 39504 a anddownwardly ramping well bores 39504 b extending from opposite sides ofthe main drainage well bore 39508, multi-plane well bore pattern 39500may include only upwardly ramping well bores 39504 a or only onedownwardly ramping well bores 39504 b. Other suggested modificationswere described with regards to FIGS. 37 and 38 and may be appropriatelyapplied to the embodiment of FIG. 39.

FIG. 40 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for producinggas from a subterranean zone. In this embodiment, the method begins atstep 40600 in which areas to be drained and drainage patterns to be usedin the areas are identified. For example, drainage patterns 40300,40400, or 40500 may be used to provide optimized coverage for theregion. It will be understood that any other suitable patterns may alsoor alternatively be used to degasify one or more layers of subterraneandeposits.

Proceeding to step 40602, the substantially vertical well is drilledfrom the surface through the subterranean zone. Next, at step 40604,down hole logging equipment is used to exactly identify the location ofthe target layer of subterranean deposits in the substantially verticalwell bore. At step 40606, the enlarged diameter cavity may be formed inthe substantially vertical well bore at a location within the targetlayer of subterranean deposits. As previously discussed, the enlargeddiameter cavity may be formed by under reaming and other conventionaltechniques. Next, at step 608, the articulated well bore is drilled tointersect the enlarged diameter cavity. It should be understood thatalthough the drilling of a dual well system is described in steps40602-40608, any other appropriate technique for drilling intosubterranean deposits may be used. After the subterranean deposits arereached, a drainage pattern may then be drilled in the deposits, asdescribed below.

At decisional step 40610, it is determined whether ramping well bores40504 should be drilled. Ramping well bores 40504 may extend upwardly ordownwardly from a main drainage well bore 40508. In deciding whether todrill ramping well bores 40504, the size and accessibility of the layeror layers of subterranean deposits may be considered. In one embodimentof the present invention, it may be desirable to drill ramping wellbores 40504 to access minerals, gas, and water within a single, thicklayer 40302 of subterranean deposits. Alternatively, ramping well bores40504 may provide access to multiple layers 40402 of subterraneandeposits that may be separated by impermeable or substantiallyimpermeable material 40404 such as shale, limestone, or sandstone. If atdecisional step 40610 it is determined that ramping well bores 40504should not be drilled, steps 40612 through 40614 are skipped and themethod proceeds directly to step 40616. If instead, however, it isdetermined at decisional step 40610 that that ramping well bores 40504should be drilled, any secondary subterranean layers 40402 ofsubterranean deposits, if any, may be identified at step 40612. Rampingwell bores 40504 are drilled at step 40614.

At step 40616, the articulated well bore may be capped. Next, at step40618, the enlarged cavity is cleaned in preparation for installation ofdownhole production equipment. The enlarged diameter cavity may becleaned by pumping compressed air down the substantially vertical wellbore or by other suitable techniques. At step 40620, productionequipment is installed in the substantially vertical well bore. Theproduction equipment may include a sucker rod pump extending down intothe cavity. The sucker rod pump may be used to remove water from thelayer or layers of subterranean deposits. The removal of water will dropthe pressure of the subterranean layers and allow gas to diffuse and beproduced up the annulus of the substantially vertical well bore.

Proceeding to step 40622, water that drains from the drainage patterninto the cavity is pumped to the surface with the rod pumping unit.Water may be continuously or intermittently pumped as needed to removeit from the cavity. Additionally or alternatively, the drainage patternmay be used for environmental remediation purposes to treat or recoverunderground contaminants posing a danger to the environment. Forexample, the drainage pattern and cavity may be used to inject atreatment solution into a contaminated coal seam or surrounding area,recover byproducts from the contaminated coal seam or surrounding area,or strip recoverable product from the coal seam. The drainage patternmay also be used for the sequestration of gaseous emissions. Forexample, gaseous emissions such as carbon dioxide entrained in a carriermedium may be injected into the pattern with the aid of a surface pump.At step 40624, gas diffused from the subterranean zone is continuouslycollected at the surface. Upon completion of production, the method iscompleted.

FIG. 41A is top plan diagram illustrating an example tri-pinnatedrainage pattern for accessing deposits in a subterranean zone. In thisembodiment, the tri-pinnate pattern 41200 provides access to asubstantially rectangular area 41202 of a subterranean zone. In oneparticular embodiment, rectangular area 41202 has a length of 41300 ofapproximately 6980 feet and a width 41302 of approximately 5450 feet;however any suitable dimensions may be utilized. A number of tri-pinnatepatterns 41200 may be used together to provide uniform access to a largesubterranean region.

The tri-pinnate pattern 41200 includes three discrete well bore patterns41204 each draining a portion of a region covered by the tri-pinnatepattern 41200. Each of the well bore patterns 41204 includes a maindrainage well bore 41206 and a set of lateral well bores 41208 extendingfrom the main well bore 41206. In tri-pinnate pattern 41200, each of themain drainage well bores 41206 extends from a respective articulatedwell bore 41207. The articulated well bores 41207 of each well borepattern 41204 may initiate from a common surface point 41209. Thus, thearticulated well bores 41207 of each well bore pattern 41204 mayinitiate together and share a common portion for a desired distancebelow the earth's surface before diverging into different directions.Each main drainage well bore 41206 intersects a respective surface wellbore 41210. Fluid and/or gas may be removed from or introduced into thesubterranean zone through the respective surface well bores 41210 incommunication with the main drainage well bores 41206. This allowstighter spacing of the surface production equipment, wider coverage of awell bore pattern and reduces drilling equipment and operations.

Each main drainage well bore 41206 may be formed at a location relativeto other main drainage well bores 41206 to accommodate access to aparticular subterranean region. For example, main drainage well bores41206 may be formed having a spacing or a distance between otheradjacent main drainage well bores 41206 to accommodate access to asubterranean region such that only three main drainage well bores 41206are required. Thus, the spacing between adjacent main drainage wellbores 41206 may be substantially equal or may vary to accommodate theunique characteristics of a particular subterranean resource. Forexample, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 41A, the spacing betweeneach main drainage well bore 41206 is substantially equal at an angle ofapproximately 120 degrees from each other, thereby resulting in eachwell bore pattern 41204 extending in a direction approximately 120degrees from an adjacent well bore pattern 41204. However, othersuitable number of well bores, well bore spacing angles, patterns ororientations may be used to accommodate the characteristics of aparticular subterranean resource.

Each well bore pattern 41204 may also include a set of lateral wellbores 41208 extending from the main drainage well bore 41206. In oneparticular embodiment; the lateral well bores 41208 are separated by adistance of 41304 of approximately 800 feet; however, other spacings maybe utilized. In that same embodiment; lateral well bores 41208 terminateat a distance 41308 approximately 400 feet from an edge of rectangulararea 41202; however, other dimensions may be utilized. The lateral wellbores 41208 may mirror each other on opposite sides of the main drainagewell bore 41206 or may be offset from each other along the main drainagewell bore 41206. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 41, tri-pinnatedrainage pattern 41200 includes a combination of both mirroring lateralwell bores 41208 and offset lateral well bores 41208. Each of thelateral well bores 41208 includes a radiused portion 41212 extendingfrom the main drainage well bore 41206 and an elongated portion 41214formed after the radiused portion 41212 has reached a desiredorientation. For uniform coverage of the substantially rectangular area41202, pairs of lateral well bores 41208 may be disposed substantiallyequally spaced on each side of the main well bore 41206 and may extendfrom the main drainage well bore 41206 at an angle of approximately 60degrees. The lateral well bores 41208 may shorten in length based onprogression away from the enlarged diameter cavity in order tofacilitate drilling of the lateral well bores 41208.

In a particular embodiment, a tri-pinnate drainage pattern 41200including three main drainage well bores 41206 and three pairs oflateral well bores 41208 extending from each main drainage well bore41206 may drain a substantially rectangular area 41202 of approximately873 acres in size. Where a smaller area is to be drained, or where thesubstantially rectangular area 41202 has a different shape, such as along, narrow shape, or due to surface topography, alternate tri-pinnatedrainage patterns may be employed by varying the angle of the lateralwell bores 41208 to the main drainage well bore 41206 and theorientation of the lateral well bores 41208. Thus, the quantity,spacing, and angular orientation of lateral well bores 41208 may bevaried to accommodate a variety of resource areas, sizes and well borerequirements. As described above, multiple tri-pinnate drainage patterns41200 may be positioned or nested adjacent each other to providesubstantially uniform access to a subterranean zone. It should beunderstood that the length of lateral well bores 41208 and theirdirection may be varied as appropriate to create an appropriately shapeddrainage pattern 41200 to allow nesting of multiple drainage patterns41200. Such appropriate shapes may include rectangles and otherquadrilaterals of any size as well as any other polygonal or other shapesuitable for nesting.

The main drainage well bores 41206 and the lateral well bores 41208 maybe formed by drilling through the enlarged diameter cavity using thearticulated drill string and any appropriate horizontal drillingapparatus. During this operation, gamma ray logging tools andconventional MWD technologies may be employed to control the directionand orientation of the drill bit so as to retain the drainage patternwithin the confines of the subterranean zone and to maintain properspacing and orientation of the main drainage well bores 41206 andlateral well bores 41208.

FIG. 41B illustrates a pinnate well bore pattern 41500 in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. This pinnate well borepattern is analogous to the pattern of FIG. 25, except that the mainwell bore pattern and laterals extending from the main well bore patternare curved, due to the method utilized in their formation, as describedbelow. In this embodiment, the pinnate well bore pattern 41500 providesaccess to a substantially square area 25102 of a subterranean zone. Anumber of the pinnate well bore patterns 41500 may be used together toprovide uniform access to a large subterranean region.

Referring to FIG. 41B, the pinnate pattern 41500 includes a main wellbore 41504 extending across the coverage area 41502 to a distant cornerof the area 41502. The well bore 41504 may be drilled using anarticulated drill that extends from the enlarged cavity 25020 inalignment with the articulated well bore 25030, as described below. Alsoillustrated in FIG. 41B are a plurality of lateral well bores (41506,41508,41510, 41512, and 41541) extending from well bore 41504.

Formation of main well bore 41504 and the lateral well bores may occuras follows. An articulated drill extending from the enlarged cavity25020 drills curved lateral well bore 41506. Then the articulated drillis backed out through lateral 41506. A curved portion of main well bore41504 as well as curved lateral well bore 41508 is then drilled. Thenthe articulated drill is backed out to the intersection of lateral wellbore 41508 and main well bore 41504 and the process continues until thewell more pattern of 41500 is formed. In one embodiment of theinvention, drilling curved lateral and curved portion of the main wellbore pattern in such a manner facilitates reformation of the laterals ifthey were to collapse.

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating formation of anexample multi-level drainage pattern 42500 in a single, thick layer42502 of subterranean deposits using a single cavity well 42506. In thisembodiment, the layer 42502 of subterranean deposits may be a coal seamor any other subterranean zone that can be accessed using a dual wellsystem for removing and/or producing water, hydrocarbons, and otherfluids in the zone and to treat minerals prior to mining operations. Forexample, the layer 42502 of subterranean deposits may be approximatelyfifty feet thick as measured from an upper boundary 42512 closest to theearth's surface to a lower boundary 42514 furthest from the earth'ssurface. In the illustrated embodiment, an articulated well bore and asubstantially vertical well bore are formed.

As described above, after the enlarged diameter cavity has beensuccessfully intersected by the articulated well bore, drilling may becontinued through the cavity using the articulated drill string andappropriate horizontal drilling apparatus to form a drainage pattern42500 in the subterranean layer 42502. Drainage pattern 42500 mayinitiate from cavity as main well bore 42508. The enlarged diametercavity 42506 provides a junction for the intersection of thesubstantially vertical well bore with the articulated well bore. Theenlarged diameter cavity 42506 also provides a collection point forfluids drained from subterranean layer 42502 during productionoperations. Substantially vertical well bore may extend below theenlarged diameter cavity 42506 to form a sump 42507 for the cavity42506.

Main well bore 42508 may extend beyond the cavity 42506 and continuethrough the substantially horizontal plane of layer 42502. Additionalsecondary well bores 42504 may extend from the main well bore 42508 toform drainage pattern 42500. Specifically, the main well bore 42508 (andsecondary well bores 42504, described below) may be main well bore. Inone embodiment, the main well bore 42508 and elongated portions 42518 ofthe secondary well bores 42504 may lie in the substantially horizontalplane of layer 42502. One skilled in the art may recognize, however,that the main well bore 42508 and elongated portions 42518 may not beperfectly horizontal where the layer 42502 itself is not perfectlyhorizontal. Rather, substantially horizontal merely implies that thewell bores are in conformance with the shape of layer 42502. Thus, iflayer 42502 slopes toward the earth's surface, the substantiallyhorizontal portion 42034 may also be slope toward the earth's surface inconformance with layer 42502.

In one embodiment of the present invention, multi-level drainage pattern42500 includes at least one secondary well bore 42504. Secondary wellbore 42504 may extend upwardly from main well bore 42508 toward an upperboundary 42512 of layer 42502. Alternatively or additionally, secondarywell bore 42504 may extend downwardly from main well bore 42508 toward alower boundary 42514 of layer 42502. Each secondary well bore 42504 mayinclude a curving portion 42516 that extends from and intersects withmain well bore 42508. Each secondary well bore 42504 may also include anelongated portion 42518. The elongated portions 42518 of secondary wellbores 42504 and the main well bore 42508 may lie substantially parallelto one another. Elongated portions 42518, as with main well bore 42508,may then extend through the layer 42502 to be drained.

Curving portion 42514 may extend from the main well bore 42508 at apredetermined radius of curvature. The appropriate radius of curvaturemay be dictated by drilling apparatus capabilities and by the size ofthe layer to be drained by multi-level drainage pattern 42500.Additionally, the radius of curvature may be dictated by a desired span42520 that is the distance from the centerline of the main well bore42508 to the centerline of elongated portion 42518 of secondary wellbore 42504.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a pair of secondary wellbores 42504 may extend upwardly and downwardly from the top and bottom,respectively, of main well bore 42508. In this embodiment, upwardly anddownwardly extending secondary well bores 42504 may substantially mirroreach other. Alternatively, multi-level drainage pattern 42500 mayinclude upwardly and downwardly secondary well bores 42504 positioned tooffset one another. Although FIG. 42 depicts multi-level drainagepattern 42500 as including a plurality of upwardly and downwardlyextending secondary well bores 42304, multi-level drainage pattern 42500may also include merely a single upwardly extending secondary well bore42504 a or a plurality of upwardly extending secondary well bores 42504a. Alternatively, multi-level drainage pattern 42500 may include merelya single downwardly extending secondary well bore 42504 b or a pluralityof downwardly extending secondary well bores 42504 b. Thus, a number ofconfigurations and modifications may be made to multi-level drainagepattern 42500 without departing from the intended scope of theinvention.

In particular embodiments, a technical advantage of the multi-leveldrainage pattern may include the ability to drain a substantially largerarea of the subterranean without requiring the formation of additionalarticulated well bores. Consequently, the vertical well bore must onlybe intercepted once. Although a MWD device may be used to control thedirection and orientation of articulated well bore below the surface,the intersection of multiple articulated well bores with vertical wellbore may be challenging and time-consuming.

FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating formation of anexample multi-level drainage pattern 42600 in multiple layers 42602 ofsubterranean deposits using a single cavity 42020. Multi-level drainagepattern 42600 may provide uniform access to multiple layers 42602 ofsubterranean deposits that may be separated by impermeable or lowpermeability material 42603 such as sandstone, shale, or limestone. Inthis embodiment, articulated well bore 42030, vertical well bore 42012,main well bore 42608, and secondary well bores 42604 are formed aspreviously described in connection with FIG. 8.

Main well bore 42608 may be drilled into a target layer 42602 c. Curvingportion 42616 of secondary well bore 42604 may be of a sufficient lengthand radius of curvature to allow multi-level drainage pattern 42600 tointersect multiple layers 42602 of a coal seam or any other subterraneanzone. For example, curving portion 42616 of secondary well bore 42604 amay extend a desired span 42620 to provide access to an upper layer42602 a and any intermediate layers 42602 b. Similarly, curving portion42616 of secondary well bore 42604 b may extend downwardly to provideaccess to a lower layer 42602 e and any intermediate layers 602 d.Although five layers 42602 a-e are shown in FIG. 43, multi-leveldrainage pattern 42600 may intersect any appropriate number of layers42602. For example, upwardly extending secondary well bores 42604 anddownwardly extending secondary well bores 42604 may be drilled in anumber of layers 42602 separated by multiple layers of impermeable orsubstantially impermeable material 42603. The orientation and directionof secondary well bores 42604 may be controlled using gamma ray loggingtools and conventional MWD devices to direct the well string 42040 tothe desired layers 42602. Elongated portion 42618 of secondary wellbores 42604 may then lie substantially parallel to main well bore 42608and extend to the periphery of the area being drained (as with main wellbore 42608).

FIG. 44 is an isometric diagram illustrating an example multi-leveldrainage pattern 42700 for accessing deposits in a subterranean zone. Asillustrated, multi-level drainage pattern 42700 includes secondary wellbores 42704 extending upwardly from a main well bore 42708. Additionally(but not shown), secondary well bores 42704 may extend downwardly fromthe main well bore 42708. Secondary well bores 42704 may include acurving portion 42718 that transitions into an elongated portion 42720.Elongated portion 42720 may extend in a substantially horizontal planethat may be parallel to main well bore 42708. As previously described,multi-level drainage pattern 42700 may provide access to a single, thicklayer 42502 of subterranean deposits, as was described with regard toFIG. 42. Alternatively, multi-level drainage pattern 42700 may provideaccess to multiple layers 42602 of subterranean deposits separated byimpermeable or substantially impermeable material such as sandstone,shale, or limestone, as was described with regard to FIG. 43.

In addition to secondary well bores 42704, multi-level drainage pattern42700 may also include multiple lateral well bores 42710 extending fromopposite sides of main well bore 42608. Lateral well bores 42710 mayextend to a distant point in the area being drained. Thus, a first setof lateral well bores 42710 a may extend in spaced apart relation toeach other from one side of main well bore 42708. Similarly, a secondset of lateral well bores 42710 b may extend in spaced apart relation toeach other from an opposite sides of main well bore 42708. The lateralwell bores 42710 may mirror each other on opposite side of the main wellbore 42708 or may be offset from each other along main well bore 42708.Each lateral well bore may also include a radiused portion 42714 thattransitions into an elongated portion 42716. The radiused portion 42714may connect the lateral well bore 42710 to the main well bore 42708 at apredetermined radius of curvature. The appropriate radius of curvaturemay be dictated by drilling apparatus capabilities and by the area to bedrained by multi-level drainage pattern 42700. Pairs of lateral wellbores 42710 may be substantially evenly spaced apart on each side of themain well bore 42708 and may extend from the main well bore 42708 at anangle of approximately 45 degrees.

Although lateral well bores 42710 and secondary well bores 42704 areshown as extending from a common point on main well bore 42708, lateralwell bores 42710 and secondary well bores 42704 may extend from uncommonpoints. For example, although lateral well bores 42710 may be evenlyspaced at one hundred foot intervals, the first upwardly extendingsecondary well bore 42704 may extend from the main well bore a distanceof fifty feet from the cavity well. In other embodiments, lateral wellbores 42710 may be unevenly spaced such that the distance between thefirst lateral well bore 42710 and the second lateral well bore 42710 maybe one hundred feet, while the distance between the second lateral wellbore 42710 and the third lateral well bore 42710 may be fifty feet.Above described interval spacings are merely exemplary. One of ordinaryskill in the art may recognize that any appropriate interval spacing maybe used to drain the layers of subterranean deposits.

Multi-level drainage pattern 42700 may also include a plurality oflateral well bores 42710 extending from opposite sides of the elongatedportion 42720 of one or more secondary well bores 42704. Lateral wellbores 42710 that extend from elongated portion 720 may be formed asdescribed above. Thus, lateral well bores 710 may extend from elongatedportion 42720 and mirror one another or lateral well bores 42710 may bepositioned to offset one another. Additionally, radiused portion 714,which may connect the lateral well bore 42710 to elongated portion42720, may be formed at a predetermined radius of curvature. The radiusof curvature of lateral well bores 42710 extending from elongatedportion 42720 may be substantially equal to the radius of curvature forlateral well bores 42710 extending from main well bore 708.Additionally, or alternatively, the radius of curvature of lateral wellbores 42710 extending from elongated portion 42720 may be substantiallyequal to the radius of curvature of curving portion 42718 of secondarywell bore 42704.

Thus, multi-level drainage pattern 42700 for removing and/or producingentrained water, hydrocarbons, and other deposits from one or morelayers of subterranean deposits may be customized as is appropriate.Multi-level drainage pattern 42700 may also be customized for theremediation or treatment of a contaminated area within the coal seam orthe sequestration of gaseous emissions within the pattern. Although FIG.44 depicts a plurality of upwardly extending secondary well bores 42704and outwardly extending lateral well bores 42710, multi-level drainagepattern 42700 may include only upwardly extending secondary well bores42704, only downwardly extending secondary well bores 42704, or bothupwardly and downwardly extending well bores 42704. Additionally,multi-level drainage pattern 42700 may or may not include lateral wellbores 42710. After drilling of the various well bores is completed,articulated drill string may be removed and the articulated well borecapped as was described above. Because gravity will facilitate drainageof fluids from secondary well bores 42704 extending upwardly, it may beadvantageous in particular embodiments to drill only upwardly extendingsecondary well bores 42704 a. Fluids from secondary well bores 42704 andlateral well bores 42710 may flow toward the enlarged diameter cavity42506 and collected therein. Accumulated fluids may be collected fromsecondary well bores 42504 (and lateral well bores 42710, ifappropriate) and removed via a down hole pump disposed in the enlargeddiameter cavity 506.

FIG. 45 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for producinggas from a subterranean zone. In this embodiment, the method begins atstep 45800 in which areas to be drained and drainage patterns to be usedin the areas are identified. For example, drainage patterns 42,500,42600, or 42700 may be used to provide optimized coverage for theregion. It will be understood that any other suitable patterns may alsoor alternatively be used to degasify one or more layers of subterraneandeposits.

Proceeding to step 45802, the substantially vertical well is drilledfrom the surface through the subterranean zone. Next, at step 45804,down hole logging equipment is utilized to exactly identify the locationof the target layer 42502 or 42602 c of subterranean deposits in thesubstantially vertical well bore. At step 45806, the enlarged diametercavity is formed in the substantially vertical well bore at a locationwithin the target layer 42502 or 42602 c of subterranean deposits. Aspreviously discussed, the enlarged diameter cavity may be formed byunder reaming and other conventional techniques. Next, at step 45808,the articulated well bore is drilled to intersect the enlarged diametercavity. It should be understood that although the drilling of a dualwell system is described in steps 45802-45808, any other appropriatetechniques for drilling into subterranean deposits may be used. Afterthe subterranean deposits are reached, a drainage pattern may then bedrilled in the deposits, as described below.

At decisional step 45810, a determination is made as to whethersecondary well bores 42504 should be drilled. Secondary well bores 42504may extend upwardly and/or downwardly from the main well bore 42508 toprovide access to minerals within a single, thick layer 42502 ofsubterranean deposits. Alternatively, secondary well bores 42504 may beused to access minerals within multiple layers 42502 of subterraneandeposits separated by impermeable or substantially impermeable material42603 such as limestone, shale, or sandstone. If at decisional step45810 it is determined that secondary well bores 42504 should not bedrilled, steps 45812 through 45814 are skipped and the method proceedsdirectly to step 45816. If, instead, it is determined at decisional step45810 that secondary well bores 42504 should be drilled, any secondarylayers 42602 a, 42602 b, 42602 d, and 42602 e of subterranean depositsthat are present may be identified at step 45812. At step 45814,secondary well bores 42504 are drilled. Secondary well bores 42504 mayinclude a curving portion 42516 and an elongated portion 518. Elongatedportion 42518 may be drilled on a substantially horizontal plane suchthat elongated portion 42518 and main well bore 42508 are substantiallyparallel. Secondary well bore 42504 may extend to the periphery of thearea being drained by the dual well system (as may be main well bore42508).

At step 45816, the articulated well bore is capped. Next, at step 45818,the enlarged cavity is cleaned in preparation for installation ofdownhole production equipment. The enlarged diameter cavity may becleaned by pumping compressed air down the substantially vertical wellbore or by other suitable techniques. At step 45820, productionequipment is installed in the substantially vertical well bore. Theproduction equipment may include a sucker rod pump extending down intothe cavity. The sucker rod pump may be used to remove water from thelayers of subterranean deposits. The removal of water will drop thepressure of the subterranean layers and allow gas to diffuse and beproduced up the annulus of the substantially vertical well bore.

Proceeding to step 45822, water that drains from the drainage pattern(main well bore 45508, secondary well bores 42504, and laterals, if any)into the cavity may be pumped to the surface with the rod pumping unit.Water may be continuously or intermittently pumped as needed to removeit from the cavity. Additionally or alternatively, the drainage patternmay be used for environmental remediation purposes to treat or recoverunderground contaminants posing a danger to the environment. Forexample, the drainage pattern and cavity may be used to inject atreatment solution into a contaminated coal seam or surrounding area,recover byproducts from the contaminated coal seam or surrounding area,or strip recoverable product from the coal seam. The drainage patternmay also be used for the sequestration of gaseous emissions. Forexample, gaseous emissions such as carbon dioxide entrained in a carriermedium may be injected into the pattern with the aid of a surface pump.At step 45824, gas diffused from the layers of subterranean deposits iscontinuously collected at the surface 14. Upon completion of production,the method is completed.

III. Tools

FIGS. 46-60 illustrate various tools that may be used in connection withvarious embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 46A, 46B, and 46C illustrate formation of a casing with associatedguide tube bundle. Referring to FIG. 46A, three guide tubes 46040 areshown in side view and end view. The guide tubes 46040 are arranged sothat they are parallel to one another. In the illustrated embodiment,guide tubes 46040 are 9⅝″ joint casings. It will be understood thatother suitable materials may be employed.

FIG. 46B illustrates a twist incorporated into guide tubes 46040. Theguide tubes 46040 are twisted gamma degrees in relation to one anotherwhile maintaining the lateral arrangement to gamma degrees. Guide tubes46040 are then welded or otherwise stabilized in place. In an exampleembodiment, gamma is equal to 10 degrees.

FIG. 46C illustrates guide tubes 46040, incorporating the twist, incommunication and attached to a casing collar 46042. The guide tubes46040 and casing collar 46042 together make up the guide tube bundle46043, which may be attached to a fresh water or other casing sized tofit the length of entry well bore 46015 of FIG. 47 or otherwise suitablyconfigured.

FIG. 47 illustrates entry well bore 46015 with guide tube bundle 46043and casing 46044 installed in entry well bore 46015. Entry well bore46015 is formed from the surface to a target depth of approximatelythree hundred and ninety feet. Entry well bore 46015, as illustrated,has a diameter of approximately twenty-four inches. Guide tube bundle46043 (consisting of joint casings 46040 and casing collar 46042) isshown attached to a casing 46044. Casing 46044 may be any fresh watercasing or other casing suitable for use in down-hole operations.

A cement retainer 46046 is poured or otherwise installed around thecasing inside entry well bore 46015. The cement casing may be anymixture or substance otherwise suitable to maintain casing 46044 in thedesired position with respect to entry well bore 46015.

FIG. 48 illustrates entry well bore 46015 and casing 46044 with guidetube 46043 in its operative mode as slant wells are about to be drilled.A drill string 46050 is positioned to enter one of the guide tubes 46040of guide tube bundle 46043. In order to keep drill string 46050relatively centered in casing 46044, a stabilizer 46052 may be employed.Stabilizer 46052 may be a ring and fin type stabilizer or any otherstabilizer suitable to keep drill string 46050 relatively centered. Tokeep stabilizer 46052 at a desired depth in well bore 15, stop ring46053 may be employed. Stop ring 46053 may be constructed of rubber ormetal or any other foreign down-hole environment material suitable.Drill string 46050 may be inserted randomly into any of a plurality ofguide tubes 46040 of guide tube bundle 46043, or drill string 50 may bedirected into a selected joint casing 46040.

FIG. 49 illustrates an example system of slant wells 46020. Tangent wellbore 46060 is drilled approximately fifty feet past the end of entrywell bore 46015 (although any other appropriate distance may bedrilled). Tangent well bore 46060 is drilled away from casing 46044 inorder to minimize magnetic interference and improve the ability of thedrilling crew to guide the drill bit in the desired direction. Aradiused well bore 46062 is drilled to orient the drill bit inpreparation for drilling the slant entry well bore 46064. In aparticular embodiment, radiused well bore 46062 is curved approximatelytwelve degrees per one hundred feet (although any other appropriatecurvature may be employed).

A slant entry well bore 46064 is drilled from the end of the radius wellbore 46062 into and through the subterranean zone 46022. Alternatively,slant well 46020 may be drilled directly from guide tube 46040, withoutincluding tangent well bore 46060 or radiused well bore 46062. Anarticulated well bore 46065 is shown in its prospective position but isdrilled later in time than rat hole 46066, which is an extension ofslant well 46064. Rat hole 46066 may also be an enlarged diameter cavityor other suitable structure. After slant entry well bore 46064 and rathole 46066 are drilled, any additional desired slant wells are thendrilled before proceeding to installing casing in the slant well.

FIG. 50 is an illustration of the casing of a slant well 46064. For easeof illustration, only one slant well 46064 is shown. A whip stock casing46070 is installed into the slant entry well bore 46064. In theillustrated embodiment, whip stock casing 46070 includes a whip stock46072 which is used to mechanically direct a drill string into a desiredorientation. It will be understood that other suitable casings may beemployed and the use of a whip stock 46072 is not necessary when othersuitable methods of orienting a drill bit through slant well 46064 intothe subterranean zone 46022 are used.

Casing 46070 is inserted into the entry well bore 46015 through guidetube bundle 46043 and into slant entry well bore 46064. Whip stockcasing 46070 is oriented such that whip stock 46072 is positioned sothat a subsequent drill bit is aligned to drill into the subterraneanzone 46022 at the desired depth.

FIG. 51 illustrates whip stock casing 46070 and slant entry well bore46064. As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 50, whip stock casing 46070is positioned within slant entry well bore 46064 such that a drillstring 46050 will be oriented to pass through slant entry well bore46064 at a desired tangent or kick off point 46038. Drill string 46050is used to drill through slant entry well bore 46064 at tangent or kickoff point 46038 to form articulated well bore 46036. In a particularembodiment, articulated well bore 46036 has a radius of approximatelyseventy-one feet and a curvature of approximately eighty degrees per onehundred feet. In the same embodiment, slant entry well 46064 is angledaway from the vertical at approximately ten degrees. In this embodiment,the hydrostatic head generated in conjunction with production is roughlythirty feet. However, it should be understood that any other appropriateradius, curvature, and slant angle may be used.

FIG. 52 illustrates a slant entry well 42064 and articulated well bore42036 after drill string 42050 has been used to form articulated wellbore 42036. In a particular embodiment, a horizontal well and drainagepattern may then be formed in subterranean zone 46022.

Referring to FIG. 52, whip stock casing 46070 is set on the bottom ofrat hole 46066 to prepare for production of oil and gas. A sealer ring46074 may be used around the whip stock casing 46070 to prevent gasproduced from articulated well bore 46036 from escaping outside whipstock casing 46070. Gas ports 46076 allow escaping gas to enter into andup through whip stock casing 46070 for collection at the surface.

A pump string 46078 and submersible pump 46080 is used to remove waterand other liquids that are collected from the subterranean zone througharticulated well bore 46036. As shown in FIG. 52, the liquids, under thepower of gravity and the pressure in subterranean zone 46022, passthrough articulated well bore 46036 and down slant entry well bore 46064into rat hole 46066. From there the liquids travel into the opening inthe whip stock 46072 of whip stock casing 46070 where they come incontact with the installed pump string 46078 and submersible pump 46080.Submersible pump 46080 may be a variety of submersible pumps suitablefor use in a down-hole environment to remove liquids and pump them tothe surface through pump string 46078.

FIG. 53 is a diagram illustrating a wedge-activated underreamer inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Underreamer53010 includes a housing 53012 illustrated as being substantiallyvertically disposed within a well bore 53011. However, it should beunderstood that underreamer 53010 may also be used in non-verticalcavity forming operations.

Underreamer 53010 includes an actuator 53016 with a portion slidablypositioned within a pressure cavity 53022 of housing 53012. Actuator53016 includes a piston 53018, a connector 53039, a rod 53019 and anenlarged portion 53020. Piston is coupled to connector 53039 using a pin53041. Connector 53039 is coupled to rod 53019 using a pin 53043. Piston18 has an enlarged first end 53028 located within a hydraulic cylinder53030 of housing 53012. Hydraulic cylinder 53030 includes an inlet 53031which allows a pressurized fluid to enter hydraulic cylinder 53030 frompressure cavity 22. Hydraulic cylinder 53030 also includes an outlet53036 which is coupled to a vent hose 53038 to provide an exit for thepressurized fluid from hydraulic cylinder 53030. Enlarged portion 53020is at an end 53026 of rod 53019. Wedge activation of underreamer 53010is performed by enlarged portion 53020. In this embodiment, enlargedportion 53020 includes a beveled portion 53024. However, in otherembodiments, enlarged portion may comprise other angles, shapes orconfigurations, such as a cubical, spherical, conical or teardrop shape.

Underreamer 53010 also includes cutters 53014 pivotally coupled tohousing 53012. In this embodiment, each cutter 53014 is pivotallycoupled to housing 53012 via a pin 53015; however, other suitablemethods may be used to provide pivotal or rotational movement of cutters53014 relative to housing 53012. Cutters 53014 are illustrated in aretracted position, nesting around a rod 53019 of actuator 53016.Cutters 53014 may have a length of approximately two to three feet;however, the length of cutters 53014 may be different in otherembodiments. The illustrated embodiment shows an underreamer having twocutters 53014; however, other embodiments may include an underreamerhaving one or more than two cutters 53014. Cutters 53014 are illustratedas having angled ends; however, the ends of cutters 53014 in otherembodiments may not be angled or they may be curved, depending on theshape and configuration of enlarged portion 53020.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 53, cutters 53014 comprise sidecutting surfaces 53054 and end cutting surfaces 53056. Cutters 53014 mayalso include tips which may be replaceable in particular embodiments asthe tips get worn down during operation. In such cases, the tips mayinclude end cutting surfaces 53056. Cutting surfaces 53054 and 53056 andthe tips may be dressed with a variety of different cutting materials,including, but not limited to, polycrystalline diamonds, tungstencarbide inserts, crushed tungsten carbide, hard facing with tube barium,or other suitable cutting structures and materials, to accommodate aparticular subsurface formation. Additionally, various cutting surfaces53054 and 53056 configurations may be machined or formed on cutters53014 to enhance the cutting characteristics of cutters 53014.

Housing 53012 is threadably coupled to a drill pipe connector 53032 inthis embodiment; however other suitable methods may be used to coupledrill pipe connector 53032 to housing 12. Drill pipe connector 53032 maybe coupled to a drill string that leads up well bore 53011 to thesurface. Drill pipe connector 53032 includes a fluid passage 53034 withan end 53035 which opens into pressure cavity 53022 of housing 53012.

In operation, a pressurized fluid is passed through fluid passage 53034of drill pipe connector 53032. The fluid may be pumped down a drillstring and drill pipe connector 53032. In particular embodiments, thepressurized fluid may have a pressure of approximately 500-600 psi;however, any appropriate pressure may be used. The pressurized fluidpasses through fluid passage 53034 to cavity 53022 of housing 53012. Anozzle or other mechanism may control the flow of the fluid into cavity53022. The pressurized fluid flows through cavity 53022 and entershydraulic cylinder 53030 through inlet 53031. The fluid may flow asillustrated by arrows 53033. Other embodiments of the present inventionmay include more than one inlet 53031 into hydraulic cylinder 53030 ormay provide other ways for the pressurized fluid to enter hydrauliccylinder 53030. Inside hydraulic cylinder 53030, the pressurized fluidexerts a first axial force 53040 upon first end 53028 of piston 53018,thereby causing movement of piston 18 relative to housing 53012. Gaskets53029 may encircle enlarged first end 53028 to prevent the pressurizedfluid from flowing around first end 53028.

The movement of piston 53018 causes enlarged portion 53020 to moverelative to housing 53012, since enlarged portion 53020 is coupled topiston 53018. As enlarged portion 53020 moves, beveled portion 53024comes into contact with cutters 53014. Beveled portion 53024 forcescutters 53014 to rotate about pins 53015 and extend radially outwardrelative to housing 53012 as enlarged portion 53020 moves relative tohousing 53012. Through the extension of cutters 53014 via the movement53014 of piston 18 and enlarged portion 53020 relative to housing 53012,underreamer 53010 forms an enlarged well bore diameter as cuttingsurfaces 53054 and 53056 come into contact with the surfaces of wellbore 53011.

Connector 53039 includes grooves 53045 which slide along guide rails53047 when actuator 53016 moves relative to housing 53012. This preventsactuator 53016 from rotating with respect to housing 53012 during suchmovement.

Housing 53012 may be rotated within well bore 53011 as cutters 53014extend radially outward to aid in forming cavity 53042. Rotation ofhousing 53012 may be achieved using a drill string coupled to drill pipeconnector 53032; however, other suitable methods of rotating housing53012 may be utilized. For example, a downhole motor in well bore 53011may be used to rotate housing 53012. In particular embodiments, both adownhole motor and a drill string may be used to rotate housing 53012.The drill string may also aid in stabilizing housing 53012 in well bore53011.

FIG. 54 is a diagram illustrating underreamer 53010 of FIG. 53 in asemi-extended position. In FIG. 54, cutters 53014 are in a semi-extendedposition relative to housing 53012 and have begun to form an enlargedcavity 53042. When first axial force 53040 (illustrated in FIG. 53) isapplied and piston 53018 moves relative to housing 53012, first end53028 of piston 53018 will eventually reach an end 53044 of hydrauliccylinder 53030. At this point, enlarged portion 53020 is proximate anend 53017 of housing 53012. Cutters 53014 are extended as illustratedand an angle 53046 will be formed between them. In this embodiment,angle 53046 is approximately sixty degrees, but angle 53046 may bedifferent in other embodiments depending on the angle of beveled portion53024 or the shape or configuration of enlarged portion 53020. As firstend 53028 of piston 53018 moves towards end 53044 of hydraulic cylinder53030, the fluid within hydraulic cylinder 53030 may exit hydrauliccylinder 53030 through outlet 53036. The fluid may exhaust to the wellbore through vent hose 53038. Other embodiments of the present inventionmay include more than one outlet 53036 or may provide other ways for thepressurized fluid to exit hydraulic cylinder 53030.

FIG. 55 is a diagram illustrating underreamer 53010 of FIG. 53 in anextended position. Once enough first axial force 53040 has been exertedon first end 53028 of piston 53018 for first end 53028 to contact end53044 of hydraulic cylinder 53030 thereby extending cutters 53014 to asemi-extended position as illustrated in FIG. 54, a second axial force53048 may be applied to underreamer 53010. Second axial force 53048 maybe applied by moving underreamer 53010 relative to well bore 53011. Suchmovement may be accomplished by moving the drill string coupled to drillpipe connector 53032 or by any other technique. The application ofsecond axial force 53048 forces cutters to rotate about pins 53015 andfurther extend radially outward relative to housing 53012. Theapplication of second axial force 53048 may further extend cutters 53014to position where they are approximately perpendicular to a longitudinalaxis if housing 53012, as illustrated in FIG. 55. Housing 53012 mayinclude a bevel or “stop” in order to prevent cutters 53014 fromrotating passed a particular position, such as an approximatelyperpendicular position to a longitudinal axis of housing 53012 asillustrated in FIG. 55.

Underreamer 53010 may be raised and lowered within well bore 53011without rotation to further define and shape cavity 53042. Such movementmay be accomplished by raising and lowering the drill string coupled todrill pipe connector 53032. Housing 53012 may also be partially rotatedto further define and shape cavity 53042. It should be understood that asubterranean cavity having a shape other than the shape of cavity 53042may be formed with underreamer 53010.

Various techniques may be used to actuate the cutters of underreamers inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. For example, someembodiments may not include the use of a piston to actuate the cutters.For example, a fishing neck may be coupled to an end of the actuator. Anupward axial force may be applied to the fishing neck using a fishingtool in order to move enlarged portion 53120 relative to the housing toextend the cutters.

FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 53 taken along line 56-56,illustrating the nesting of cutters 53014 around rod 53019 while cutters53014 are in a retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 53. Cutters53014 may include cutouts 53050 which may be filled with various cuttingmaterials such as a carbide matrix 53052 as illustrated to enhancecutting performance. It should be understood that nesting configurationsother than the configuration illustrated in FIG. 56 may be used.Furthermore, cutters 53014 may have various other cross-sectionalconfigurations other than the configurations illustrated, and suchcross-sectional configurations may differ at different locations oncutters 53014. For example, in particular embodiments, cutters 53014 maynot be nested around rod 53019.

FIG. 57 is a diagram illustrating a portion of a wedge activatedunderreamer 53110 disposed in a well bore 53111 in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention. Underreamer 53110 includesan actuator 53116 slidably positioned within a housing 53112. Actuator53116 includes a fluid passage 53121. Fluid passage 53121 includes anoutlet 53125 which allows fluid to exit fluid passage 53121 into apressure cavity 53122 of housing 53112. Pressure cavity 53122 includesan exit port 53127 which allows fluid to exit pressure cavity 53122 intowell bore 53111. In particular embodiments, exit port 53127 may becoupled to a vent hose in order to transport fluid exiting through exitport 53127 to the surface or to another location. Actuator 53116includes an enlarged portion 53120 having a beveled portion 53124.Actuator 53116 also includes pressure grooves 53158 which allow fluid toexit pressure cavity 53122 when actuator 53116 is disposed in a positionsuch that enlarged portion 53120 is proximate housing 53112, asdescribed in more detail below with regards to FIGS. 58 and 59. Gaskets53160 are disposed proximate actuator 53116. Underreamer 53110 includescutters 53114 coupled to housing 53114 via pins 53115.

In operation, a pressurized fluid is passed through fluid passage 53121of actuator 53116. Such disposition may occur through a drill pipeconnector connected to housing 53112 in a similar manner as describedabove with respect to underreamer 53010 of FIGS. 53-55. The pressurizedfluid flows through fluid passage 53121 and exits the fluid passagethrough outlet 53125 into pressure cavity 53122. Inside pressure cavity53122, the pressurized fluid exerts a first axial force 53140 upon anenlarged portion 53137 of actuator 53116. Actuator 53116 is encircled bycircular gaskets 53129 in order to prevent pressurized fluid fromflowing up out of pressure cavity 53122. The exertion of first axialforce 53140 on enlarged portion 53137 of actuator 53116 causes movementof actuator 53116 relative to housing 53112. Such movement causesbeveled portion 53124 of enlarged portion 53120 to contact cutters 53114causing cutters 53114 to rotate about pins 53115 and extend radiallyoutward relative to housing 53112, as described above. Through extensionof cutters 53114, underreamer 53110 forms an enlarged cavity 53142 ascutting surfaces 53154 and 53156 of cutters 53114 come into contact withthe surfaces of well bore 53111.

Underreamer 53110 is illustrated with cutters 53114 in a semi-extendedposition relative to housing 53112. Cutters 53114 may move into a morefully extended position through the application of a second axial forcein a similar fashion as cutters 5314 of underreamer 5310 illustrated inFIGS. 53-55. Underreamer 53110 may be raised, lowered and rotated tofurther define and shape cavity 53142.

FIGS. 58 and 59 illustrate the manner in which pressure grooves 53158 ofactuator 53116 of the underreamer of FIG. 57 allow the pressurized fluidto exit pressure cavity 53122. FIGS. 58 and 59 illustrate only certainportions of the underreamer, including only a portion of actuator 53116.The cutting blades of the underreamer are not illustrated in FIGS. 58and 59. As illustrated in FIG. 58, when actuator 53116 is disposed suchthat enlarged portion 53120 is not proximate housing 53112, gaskets53160 prevent pressurized fluid from exiting pressure cavity 53122.However, when the first axial force is applied and actuator 53116 slidesrelative to housing 53112, enlarged portion 53120 of actuator 53116 willeventually become proximate housing 53112 as illustrated in FIG. 59.When enlarged portion 53120 is proximate housing 53112, pressurizedfluid in pressure cavity 53122 may exit the pressure cavity by flowingthrough pressure grooves 53158 of actuator 53116 in the generaldirection illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 59. Pressure grooves 53158may enable an operator of the underreamer to determine when enlargedportion 53120 is proximate housing 53112 because of the decrease inpressure when the pressurized fluid exits pressure cavity 53122 throughpressure grooves 53158. Pressure grooves may be utilized in actuators ofvarious embodiments of the present invention, including the underreamerillustrated in FIGS. 53-56.

FIG. 60 is an isometric diagram illustrating a cylindrical cavity 53060formed using an underreamer in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Cylindrical cavity 53060 has a generally cylindricalshape and may be formed by raising and/or lowering the underreamer inthe well bore and by rotating the underreamer.

IV. Additional Techniques

FIGS. 61-103 illustrate additional processing techniques and additionalembodiments.

FIG. 61 illustrates a well system in a subterranean zone in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. A subterranean zone maycomprise a coal seam, shale layer, petroleum reservoir, aquifer,geological layer or formation, or other at least partially definablenatural or artificial zone at least partially beneath the surface of theearth, or a combination of a plurality of such zones. In thisembodiment, the subterranean zone is a coal seam having a structural dipof approximately 0-20 degrees. It will be understood that other lowpressure, ultra-low pressure, and low porosity formations, or othersuitable subterranean zones, can be similarly accessed using the dualwell system of the present invention to remove and/or produce water,hydrocarbons and other liquids in the zone, or to treat minerals in thezone. A well system comprises the well bores and the associated casingand other equipment and the drainage patterns formed by bores.

Referring to FIG. 61, a substantially vertical well bore 61012 extendsfrom the surface 61014 to the target coal seam 61015. The substantiallyvertical well bore 61012 intersects, penetrates and continues below thecoal seam 61015. The substantially vertical well bore is lined with asuitable well casing 61016 that terminates at or above the level of thecoal seam 61015. It will be understood that slanted or other wells thatare not substantially vertical may instead be utilized if such wells aresuitably provisioned to allow for the pumping of by-product.

The substantially vertical well bore 61012 is logged either during orafter drilling in order to locate the exact vertical depth of the coalseam 61015 at the location of well bore 61012. A dipmeter or similardownhole tool may be utilized to confirm the structural dip of the seam.As a result of these steps, the coal seam is not missed in subsequentdrilling operations and techniques used to locate the seam 61015 whiledrilling need not be employed. An enlarged-diameter cavity 61018 isformed in the substantially vertical well bore 61012 at the level of thecoal seam 61015. As described in more detail below, theenlarged-diameter cavity 61018 provides a junction for intersection ofthe substantially vertical well bore by articulated well bore used toform a substantially dip-parallel drainage pattern in the coal seam61015. The enlarged-diameter cavity 61018 also provides a collectionpoint for by-product drained from the coal seam 61015 during productionoperations.

In one embodiment, the enlarged-diameter cavity 61018 has a radius ofapproximately two to eight feet and a vertical dimension of two to eightfeet. The enlarged-diameter cavity 61018 is formed using suitableunder-reaming techniques and equipment such as a pantagraph-type cavityforming tool (wherein a slidably mounted coller and two or more jointedarms are pivotally fastened to one end of a longitudinal shaft suchthat, as the collar moves, the jointed arms extend radially from thecentered shaft). A vertical portion of the substantially vertical wellbore 61012 continues below the enlarged-diameter cavity 18 to form asump 61020 for the cavity 61018.

An articulated well bore 61022 extends from the surface 61014 to theenlarged-diameter cavity 61018 of the substantially vertical well bore61012. The articulated well bore 61022 includes a substantially verticalportion 61024, a dip-parallel portion 61026, and a curved or radiusedportion 61028 interconnecting the vertical and dip-parallel portions61024 and 61026. The dip-parallel portion 61026 lies substantially inthe plane of the dipping coal seam 61015 and intersects the largediameter cavity 61018 of the substantially vertical well bore 61012. Itwill be understood that the path of the dip-parallel portion 61026 neednot be straight and may have moderate angularities or bends withoutdeparting from the present invention.

The articulated well bore 61022 is offset a sufficient distance from thesubstantially vertical well bore 61012 at the surface 61014 to permitthe large radius curved section 61028 and any desired dip-parallelsection 61026 to be drilled before intersecting the enlarged-diametercavity 61018. To provide the curved portion 61028 with a radius of100-150 feet, the articulated well bore 61022 is offset a distance ofabout 300 feet from the substantially vertical well bore 61012. Thisspacing minimizes the angle of the curved portion 61028 to reducefriction in the bore 61022 during drilling operations. As a result,reach of the drill string drilled through the articulated well bore61022 is maximized.

The articulated well bore 61022 is drilled using a conventional drillstring 61032 that includes a suitable down-hole motor and bit 61034. Ameasurement while drilling (MWD) device 61036 is included in the drillstring 61032 for controlling the orientation and direction of the wellbore drilled by the motor and bit 61034 so as to, among other things,intersect with the enlarged-diameter cavity 61018. The substantiallyvertical portion 61024 of the articulated well bore 61022 is lined witha suitable casing 61030.

After the enlarged-diameter cavity 61018 has been successfullyintersected by the articulated well bore 61022, drilling is continuedthrough the cavity 61018 using the drill string 61032 and suitabledrilling apparatus (such as a down-hole motor and bit) to provide asubstantially dip-parallel drainage pattern 61038 in the coal seam61015. During this operation, gamma ray logging tools and conventionalmeasurement while drilling devices may be employed to control and directthe orientation of the drill bit to retain the drainage pattern 61038within the confines of the coal seam 61015 and to provide substantiallyuniform coverage of a desired area within the coal seam 61015. Furtherinformation regarding the drainage pattern is described in more detailbelow in connection with FIG. 63.

During the process of drilling the drainage pattern 61038, drillingfluid or “mud” is pumped down the drill string 32 and circulated out ofthe drill string 32 in the vicinity of the bit 61034, where it is usedto scour the formation and to remove formation cuttings. The cuttingsare then entrained in the drilling fluid which circulates up through theannulus between the drill string 61032 and the well bore walls until itreaches the surface 61014, where the cuttings are removed from thedrilling fluid and the fluid is then recirculated. This conventionaldrilling operation produces a standard column of drilling fluid having avertical height equal to the depth of the well bore 61022 and produces ahydrostatic pressure on the well bore corresponding to the well boredepth. Because coal seams tend to be porous and fractured, they may beunable to sustain such hydrostatic pressure, even if formation water isalso present in the coal seam 61015. Accordingly, if the fullhydrostatic pressure is allowed to act on the coal seam 61015, theresult may be loss of drilling fluid and entrained cuttings into theformation. Such a circumstance is referred to as an “over balanced”drilling operation in which the hydrostatic fluid pressure in the wellbore exceeds the formation pressure. Loss of drilling fluid in cuttingsinto the formation not only is expensive in terms of the lost drillingfluid, which must be made up, but it tends to plug the pores in the coalseam 61015, which are needed to drain the coal seam of gas and water.

To prevent over balance drilling conditions during formation of thedrainage pattern 61038, air compressors 61040 are provided to circulatecompressed air down the substantially vertical well bore 61012 and backup through the articulated well bore 61022. The circulated air willadmix with the drilling fluids in the annulus around the drill string61032 and create bubbles throughout the column of drilling fluid. Thishas the effect of lightening the hydrostatic pressure of the drillingfluid and reducing the down-hole pressure sufficiently that drillingconditions do not become over balanced. Aeration of the drilling fluidreduces down-hole pressure to approximately 150-200 pounds per squareinch (psi). Accordingly, low pressure coal seams and other subterraneanzones can be drilled without substantial loss of drilling fluid andcontamination of the zone by the drilling fluid.

Foam, which may be compressed air mixed with water, may also becirculated down through the drill string 61032 along with the drillingmud in order to aerate the drilling fluid in the annulus as thearticulated well bore 61022 is being drilled and, if desired, as thedrainage pattern 61038 is being drilled. Drilling of the drainagepattern 61038 with the use of an air hammer bit or an air-powereddown-hole motor will also supply compressed air or foam to the drillingfluid. In this case, the compressed air or foam which is used to powerthe bit or down-hole motor exits the vicinity of the drill bit 61034.However, the larger volume of air which can be circulated down thesubstantially vertical well bore 61012, permits greater aeration of thedrilling fluid than generally is possible by air supplied through thedrill string 61032.

FIG. 62 illustrates pumping of by-product from the dip-parallel drainagepattern 61038 in the coal seam 61015 in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention. In this embodiment, after the substantiallyvertical and articulated well bores 61012 and 61022 as well as drainagepattern 61038 have been drilled, the drill string 61032 is removed fromthe articulated well bore 61022 and the articulated well bore is capped.Alternatively, the well bore may be left uncapped and used to drillother articulated wells.

Referring to FIG. 62, an inlet 61042 is disposed in the substantiallyvertical well bore 61012 in the enlarged-diameter cavity 61018. Theenlarged-diameter cavity 61018 combined with the sump 61020 provides areservoir for accumulated by-product allowing intermittent pumpingwithout adverse effects of a hydrostatic head caused by accumulatedby-product in the well bore.

The inlet 61042 is connected to the surface 61014 via a tubing string61044 and may be powered by sucker rods 61046 extending down through thewell bore 61012 of the tubing. The sucker rods 61046 are reciprocated bya suitable surface mounted apparatus, such as a powered walking beampump 61048. The pump 61048 may be used to remove water from the coalseam 61015 via the drainage pattern 61038 and inlet 61042.

When removal of entrained water results in a sufficient drop in thepressure of the coal seam 61015, pure coal seam gas may be allowed toflow to the surface 61014 through the annulus of the substantiallyvertical well bore 61012 around the tubing string 61044 and removed viapiping attached to a wellhead apparatus. A cap 61047 over the well bore61012 and around the tubing string 61044 may aid in the capture of gaswhich can then be removed via outlet 61049. At the surface, the methaneis treated, compressed and pumped through a pipeline for use as a fuelin a conventional manner. The pump 61048 may be operated continuously oras needed.

As described in further detail below, water removed from the coal seam61015 may be released on the ground or disposed of off-site.Alternatively, as discussed further below, the water the may be returnedto the subsurface and allowed to enter the subterranean zone throughpreviously drilled, down-dip drainage patterns.

FIG. 63 a top plan diagram illustrating a substantially dip-parallel,pinnate drainage pattern for accessing deposits in a subterranean zonein accordance with one embodiment of the present invention in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, thedrainage pattern comprises a pinnate patterns that have a centraldiagonal with generally symmetrically arranged and appropriately spacedlaterals extending from each side of the diagonal. As used herein, theterm each means every one of at least a subset of the identified items.The pinnate pattern approximates the pattern of veins in a leaf or thedesign of a feather in that it has similar, substantially parallel,auxiliary drainage bores arranged in substantially equal and parallelspacing or opposite sides of an axis. The pinnate drainage pattern withits central bore and generally symmetrically arranged and appropriatelyspaced auxiliary drainage bores on each side provides a uniform patternfor draining by-product from a coal seam or other subterraneanformation. With such a pattern, 80% or more of the by-product present ina given zone of a coal seam may be feasibly removable, depending uponthe geologic and hydrologic conditions. The pinnate pattern providessubstantially uniform coverage of a square, other quadrilateral, or gridarea and may be aligned with longwall mining panels for preparing thecoal seam 61015 for mining operations. It will be understood that othersuitable drainage patterns may be used in accordance with the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 63, the enlarged-diameter cavity 61018 defines a firstcorner of the area 61050. The pinnate pattern 61038 includes a main wellbore 61052 extending diagonally across the area 61050 to a distantcorner 61054 of the area 61050. The diagonal bore 61052 is drilled usingthe drill string 61032 and extends from the enlarged cavity 61018 inalignment with the articulated well bore 61022.

A plurality of lateral well bores 61058 extend from the opposites sidesof diagonal bore 61052 to a periphery 61060 of the area 61050. Thelateral bores 61058 may mirror each other on opposite sides of thediagonal bore 61052 or may be offset from each other along the diagonalbore 61052. Each of the lateral bores 61058 includes a first radiuscurving portion 61062 extending from the well bore 61052, and anelongated portion 61064. The first set of lateral well bores 61058located proximate to the cavity 61018 may also include a second radiuscurving portion 61063 formed after the first curved portion 61062 hasreached a desired orientation. In this set, the elongated portion 61064is formed after the second curved portion 61063 has reached a desiredorientation. Thus, the first set of lateral well bores 61058 kicks orturns back towards the enlarged cavity 61018 before extending outwardthrough the formation, thereby extending the drainage area back towardsthe cavity 61018 to provide uniform coverage of the area 61050. Foruniform coverage of a square area 61050, in a particular embodiment,pairs of lateral well bores 61058 are substantially evenly spaced oneach side of the well bore 61052 and extend from the well bore 61052 atan angle of approximately 45 degrees. The lateral well bores 61058shorten in length based on progression away from the enlarged cavity61018 in order to facilitate drilling of the lateral well bores 61058.The pinnate drainage pattern 61038 using a single diagonal bore 61052and five pairs of lateral bores 61058 may drain a coal seam area ofapproximately 150-200 acres in size. Where a smaller area is to bedrained, or where the coal seam has a different shape, such as a long,narrow shape or due to surface or subterranean topography, alternatepinnate drainage patterns may be employed by varying the angle of thelateral bores 110 to the diagonal bore 61052 and the orientation of thelateral bores 61058. Alternatively, lateral bores 61058 can be drilledfrom only one side of the diagonal bore 61052 to form a one-half pinnatepattern.

The diagonal bore 61052 and the lateral bores 61058 are formed bydrilling through the enlarged-diameter cavity 61018 using the drillstring 61032 and appropriate drilling apparatus (such as a downholemotor and bit). During this operation, gamma ray logging tools andconventional measurement while drilling technologies may be employed tocontrol the direction and orientation of the drill bit so as to retainthe drainage pattern within the confines of the coal seam 61015 and tomaintain proper spacing and orientation of the diagonal and lateralbores 61052 and 61058.

In a particular embodiment, the diagonal bore 61052 is drilled with aninclined hump at each of a plurality of lateral kick-off points 61056.After the diagonal 61052 is complete, the drill string 61032 is backedup to each successive lateral point 61056 from which a lateral bore61110 is drilled on each side of the diagonal 61052. It will beunderstood that the pinnate drainage pattern 61038 may be otherwisesuitably formed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 64A-64B illustrate top-down and cross-sectional views of a dippingsubterranean zone comprising a coal seam and a first well system at adown-dip point of the subterranean zone at Time (1) in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 64A-64B, the dipping coal seam 61066 is drained by,and gas produced from, a first well system 61068 comprising drainagepatterns 61038. It will be understood that the pinnate structure shownin FIG. 63 or other suitable patterns may comprise the drainage patterns61038. In a particular embodiment, the system 68 is formed with pairs ofpinnate drainage patterns 61038 as shown in FIG. 63, each pair havingmain bores 61056 meeting at a common point downdip. The main bores 61056extend updip, subparallel to the dip direction, such that one pair ofthe lateral well bores 61058 runs substantially parallel with the dipdirection, and the other set of lateral well bores 61058 runssubstantially perpendicular to the dip direction (i.e., substantiallyparallel to the strike direction). In this way, the drainage patterns61038 of the series 61068 form a substantially uniform coverage areaalong the strike of the coal seam.

Water is removed from the coal seam from and around the area covered bythe system 61068 through the vertical bores 61012, as described inreference to FIG. 62 or using other suitable means. This water may bereleased at the surface or trucked off-site for disposal. Whensufficient water has been removed to allow for coalbed methane gasproduction, gas production from the system 61068 progresses through thevertical bore 61012. The wells, cavity drainage pattern and/or pumpis/are sized to remove water from the first portion and to removerecharge water from other portions of the coal seam 61066 or otherformations. Recharge amounts may be dependent on the angle andpermeability of the seam, fractures and the like.

FIGS. 65A-65B illustrate top-down and cross-sectional views of thedipping subterranean zone of FIG. 64 at Time (2) in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 65A-65B, the area covered by well series 68 may bedepleted of gas. Time (2) may be a year after Time (1), or may representa greater or lesser interval. A second well system 61070 comprisingdrainage patterns 61038 is formed updip of the terminus of the system61068 drainage patterns. The system 61070 is formed in a similar manneras the system 61068, such that the drainage patterns 61038 of the system61070 form a substantially uniform coverage area along the strike of thecoal seam.

A series of subterranean hydraulic connections 61072 may be formed,connecting the system 61068 with the system 61070. The hydraulicconnections may comprise piping, well bore segments, mechanically orchemically enhanced faults, fractures, pores, or permeable zones, orother connections allowing water to travel through the subterraneanzone. Some embodiments of the present invention may only use surfaceproduction and reinjection. In this latter embodiment, the hydraulicconnection may comprise piping and storage tanks that may not becontinuously connected at any one time.

The hydraulic connection 61072 could be drilled utilizing either thewell bores of the system 61068 or the well bores of system 61070. Usingthe force of gravity, the connection 61072 allows water to flow from thearea of system 61070 to the area of system 61068. If such gravity flowdid not result in sufficient water being removed from the system 61070area for gas production from the system 61070 area, pumping could raiseadditional water to the surface to be returned to the subsurface eitherimmediately or after having been stored temporarily and/or processed.The water would be returned to the subsurface coal seam via the wellbores of system 61070, and a portion of that water may flow through theconnection 61072 and into the coal seam via the drainage areas of system61068. When sufficient water has been removed to allow for coalbedmethane gas production, gas production from the system 61070 progressesthrough the vertical bore 61012.

FIGS. 66A-66B illustrate top-down and cross-sectional views of thedipping subterranean zone of FIG. 64 at Time (3) in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 66A-66B, the area covered by the system 61068 and bysystem 61070 may be depleted of gas. Time (3) may be a year after Time(2), or may represent a greater or lesser interval. A third well system61074 comprising drainage patterns 61038 is formed updip of the terminusof the system 61070 drainage patterns. The system 61074 is formed in asimilar manner as the system 61068 and 61070, such that the drainagepatterns 61038 of the system 61074 form a substantially uniform coveragearea along the strike of the coal seam.

A series of subterranean hydraulic connections 61076 would be formed,connecting the systems 61068 and 61070 with the system 61074. Theconnection 61076 could be drilled utilizing either the well bores of thesystem 61070 or the well bores of system 61074. Assisted by the force ofgravity, the connection 61076 would allow water to flow from the area ofsystem 61074 to the area of system 61068 and 61070. If such gravity flowdid not result in sufficient water being removed from the system 61074area for gas production from the system 61074 area, pumping could raiseadditional water to the surface to be returned to the subsurface eitherimmediately or after having been stored temporarily. The water would bereturned to the subsurface coal seam via the well bores of system 61074,and a portion of that water may flow through the connection 61072 andinto the coal seam via the drainage areas of systems 61068 and 61070.When sufficient water has been removed to allow for coalbed methane gasproduction, gas production from the system 61074 progresses through thevertical bores 61012.

FIG. 67 illustrates top-down view of a field comprising a dippingsubterranean zone comprising a coal seam in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 67, coalbed methane gas from the south-dipping coalseam in the field 61080 has been produced from eight well systems 61081,61082, 61083, 61084, 61085, 61086, 61087, and 61088. The well systemseach comprise six drainage patterns 61038, each of which individuallycover an area of approximately 150-200 acres. Thus, the field 61080covers a total area of approximately 7200-9600 acres. In thisembodiment, well system 61081 would have been drilled and produced fromover the course of a first year of exploitation of the field 61080. Eachof the well systems systems 61081, 61082, 61083, 61084, 61085, 61086,61087, and 61088 may comprise a year's worth of drilling and pumping;thus, the field 80 may be substantially depleted over an eight-yearperiod. At some point or points during the course of each year,connections 61090 are made between the drainage patterns 61038 of thenewly drilled well system and those of the down-dip well system to allowwater to be moved from the subterranean volume of the newly drilled wellsystem to the subterranean volume of the down-dip will system.

In one embodiment, for a field comprising a plurality of well systems,each of which may comprise a plurality of drainage patterns coveringabout 150-200 acres, at least about 80% of the gas in the subterraneanzone of the field can be produced. After the initial removal anddisposal of the by-product from the first well system, the substantiallyuniform fluid flow and drainage pattern allows for substantially all ofthe by-product water to be managed or re-injected within thesubterranean zone.

FIG. 68 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for management ofby-products from subterranean zones in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 68, the method begins at step 68100, in which a firstwell system is drilled into a subterranean zone. The well system maycomprise one or more drainage patterns, and may comprise a series ofdrainage patterns arranged as described in FIGS. 64-66, above. The wellsystem may comprise a dual-well system as described in reference toFIGS. 61-62 or may comprise another suitable well system.

At step 68102, water is removed from a first volume of the subterraneanzone via pumping to the surface or other suitable means. The firstvolume of the subterranean zone may comprise a portion of the volumecomprising the area covered by the drainage patterns of the well systemmultiplied by the vertical height of the subterranean zone (for example,the height of the coal seam) within that area. The water removed at step68102 may be disposed of in a conventional manner, such as disposing ofthe water at the surface, if environmental regulations permit, orhauling the water off-site.

At step 68104, gas is produced from the subterranean zone whensufficient water has been removed from the first volume of thesubterranean zone. At decisional step 68106, it is determined whethergas production is complete. Completion of gas production may take monthsor a year or longer. During gas production, additional water may have tobe removed from the subterranean zone. As long is gas productioncontinues, the Yes branch of decisional step 68106 returns to step68104.

When gas production is determined to be complete (or, in otherembodiments, during a decline in gas production or at another suitabletime), the method proceeds to step 68108 wherein a next well system isdrilled into the subterranean zone, updip of the previous well system'sterminus. At step 68110, water is moved from the next volume of thesubterranean zone via pumping or other means, to the previous zone. Thenext volume of the subterranean zone may comprise a portion of thevolume comprising the area covered by the drainage patterns of newlydrilled well system multiplied by the vertical height of thesubterranean zone at that area. The moving of the water from the newlydrilled volume may be accomplished by forming a hydraulic connectionbetween the well systems. If the hydraulic connection is subsurface (forexample, within the subterranean zone), and depending upon the geologicconditions, the movement of the water may occur through subsurfaceconnection due to the force of gravity acting on the water. Otherwise,some pumping or other means may be utilized to aid the water's movementto the previously drained volume. Alternatively, the water from thenewly-drilled volume could be pumped to the surface, temporarily stored,and then re-injected into the subterranean zone via one of the wellsystems. At the surface, pumped water may be temporarily stored and/orprocessed.

It will be understood that, in other embodiments, the pumped water orother by-product from the next well may be placed in previously drainedwell systems not down dip from the next well, but instead cross-dip orupdip from the next well. For example, it may be appropriate to addwater to a previously water-drained well system updip, if the geologicpermeability of the subterranean zone is low enough to prevent rapiddowndip movement of the re-injected water from the updip well system. Insuch conditions and in such an embodiment, the present invention wouldalso allow sequential well systems to be drilled in down-dip direction(instead of a sequential up-dip direction as described in reference toFIG. 68) and by-product managed in accordance with the presentinvention.

At step 68112, gas is produced from the subterranean zone whensufficient water has been removed from the newly drilled volume of thesubterranean zone. At decisional step 68114, it is determined whethergas production is complete. Completion of gas production may take monthsor a year or longer. During gas production, additional water may have tobe removed from the subterranean zone. Gas production continues (i.e.,the method returns to step 68112) if gas production is determined not tobe complete.

If completion of gas production from the newly drilled well systemcompletes the field (i.e., that area of the resource-containingsubterranean zone to be exploited), then at decisional step 68116 themethod has reached its end. If, updip, further areas of the field remainto be exploited, then the method returns to step 68108 for furtherdrilling, water movement, and gas production.

FIG. 69 illustrates a system 69010 for guided drilling in a boundedgeologic formation and other suitable formations in accordance with aparticular embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, theformation is a coal seam having a thickness of less than ten feet. Itmay be understood that the present invention may be used in connectionwith drilling other suitable formations, other suitable inclinationsand/or formations of other suitable thicknesses.

System 69010 comprises a rotary or other suitable drilling rig at thesurface and a drill string 69012 extending from the drilling rig. Thedrilling rig rotates and otherwise controls drill string 69012 to form awell bore 69018. In one embodiment, drill string 69012 includes a rotarycone drill bit 69020, which cuts through an underground coal seam 69026to form well bore 69018 when drill string 69012 is rotated. The desiredorientation of the well bore is generally parallel to boundaries of theformation being drilled. Drill string 69012 includes a bent sub/motorsection 69014, which rotates drill bit 69020 when drilling fluid iscirculated. Drilling fluid is pumped down drill string 69012 anddischarged out of nozzles in drill bit 69020. The drilling fluid powersthe motor and lubricates drill bit 69020, removes formation cuttings andprovides a hydrostatic head of pressure in well bore 69018.

Drill string 69012 also includes a sensor section 69022 and atransmitter section 69015, which may include various electronic devices,which may aid in drilling. In a particular embodiment, the sensorsection includes a measurement while drilling (MWD) device, one or morelogging tools and an acoustic position measurement system 69023. Sensorsection 69022 and transmitter section 69015 may be powered by one ormore local battery cells or generated power or by a wireline from thesurface. Sensor section 69022 and transmitter section 69015 and theircomponents may communicate with the surface through suitable wirelineand/or wireless links, such as, for example, mud pulses or radiofrequency. Transmitter section 69015 may communicate information to thesurface that is compiled, produced or processed by sensor section 69022.In particular embodiments, sensor section 69022 may be operable tocommunicate such information to the surface.

In the illustrated embodiment, well bore 69018 is drilled in a coal seam69026. Coal seam 69026 is bounded by an upper boundary layer 69028 and alower boundary layer 69029. The upper and lower boundary layers 69028and 69029 may be sandstone, shale, limestone or other suitable rockand/or mineral strata.

FIG. 70 illustrates details of acoustic position measurement system69023 of sensor section 69022 in accordance with a particular embodimentof the present invention. As described in more detail below, acousticposition measurement system 69023 provides positional feedback so thatan operator or an automated drill guidance system may maintain drillstring 69012 in a desired position within coal seam 69026 and/or toprevent drill string 69012 from leaving coal seam 69026.

Referring to FIG. 70, acoustic position measurement system 69023includes acoustic transmitters 69034, acoustic transducer receivers69032 and electronics package 69036. Transmitters 69034 may be mountedand/or located upon sensor section 69022 in various ways. For example,in particular embodiments transmitters 69034 may be flush mounted uponsensor section 69022. Transmitters 69034 may also be aligned in a rowupon sensor section 69022, as illustrated, or may be spaced in line orstaggered about the circumference of sensor section 69022. Transmitters69034 are operable to transmit a sound wave into the wall of the wellbore surrounding sensor section 69022. Transmitters 69034 may transmitthe sound wave each second, every few seconds or multiple times persecond. If drill string 69012 is rotated between successivetransmissions of a sound wave, the sound wave will ultimately propagatein directions all around sensor section 69022 (360 degrees aroundacoustic position measurement system 69023). The interval at which thesound waves are transmitted may depend on the speed of rotation of drillstring 69012. The frequency of the sound wave transmitted bytransmitters 69034 may be similar to frequencies used in sonic welllogging. As an example, sound waves having frequencies ranging between1.0 hertz and 2.0 megahertz may be used. The sound wave should bediscernable in a drilling environment, should propagate well in theformations and should provide a maximum or suitable amplitude reflectedsignal at the boundary layer. In applications where high resolution isimportant, higher frequencies may be used. In some embodiments, thetransmitters may transmit a sound wave using mechanical means. As usedherein, the term “sound wave” may include either one or a plurality ofsound waves.

Receivers 69032 of acoustic position measurement system 69023 are flushmounted upon sensor section 69030 in the illustrated embodiment, butother embodiments may include receivers 69032 mounted and/or locatedupon sensor section 69030 in other ways. Receivers 69032 may be alignedin a row as discussed earlier with regard to transmitters 69034 so as toreceive the reflected sound wave from all directions around acousticposition measurement system 69023 during rotation of drill string 69012.In particular embodiments, the spacing between each receiver 69032 maybe some fraction or multiple of a wavelength of the sound wave beinggenerated by transmitters 69034 (e.g., one half of such wavelength).Receivers 69032 of acoustic position measurement system 69023 may beconventionally combined with transmitters 69034 in some embodiments,using piezoelectrics or other suitable techniques. The sound wavetransmitted by transmitters 69034 reflects from boundaries of the coalseam or other target formation (for example, upper and lower boundaries69028 and 69029 of coal seam 69026 of FIG. 69), and receivers 69032receive the reflected sound waves from within well bore 69018.

Each receiver 69032 and transmitter 69034 are electrically coupled to anelectronics package 69036. As used herein, “each” means any one of atleast a sub set of items. Electronics package 69036 controlstransmitters 69034 to transmit acoustic signals in well bore 69018 andprocesses reflected or return signals to provide positional informationof the system in the well bore. In one embodiment, the positionalinformation may be the distance between the acoustic positionmeasurement system 69023 and a boundary, such as upper boundary 69028 orlower boundary 69029 of coal seam 69026 of FIG. 69 as discussed infurther detail below. In another embodiment, the positional informationmay be whether the system is within a specified range of a boundary,such as one or two feet.

Electronics package 69036 may use a combination of analog signalamplification and filtering, and digital signal processing (DSP) orother techniques to make such a determination. Thus, electronics package69036 may comprise logic encoded in media, such as programmed tasks forcarrying out programmed instructions. The media may be a storage medium,a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, ASIC, FPGA orthe like. Electronics package 69036 may also calculate or process otherdata, which may help in determining the distance of acoustic positionmeasurement system 69023 to a particular boundary. Electronics package69036 may also transmit raw data to the surface for processing.

FIG. 71 illustrates an electronics package 69036 for processing areflected sound wave in accordance with a particular embodiment of thepresent invention. Electronics package 69036 includes amplifiers 69054,phase shifters 69056, combiner 69058, amplifier 69060, band pass filter69062, directional sensor 69038, timer 69040, processor 69064 andcommunication port 69066.

Receivers 69032 receive the reflected sound wave along with otheracoustic noise present in the well bore 69018. The combined reflectedsound wave plus any received acoustic noise is amplified by amplifiers69054 and passes to phase shifters 69056. Phase shifters 69056 induce aknown amount of phase shift into the sound waves received by receivers69032. This process can help maximize the reception for a desired signaland can reduce the reception for undesired noise received by receivers69032.

As an example, a sound wave reflected from a boundary 69028 or 69029 ofcoal seam 69026 of FIG. 69 may arrive at each receiver 69032 at adifferent phase angle of the primary sinusoidal component of thereceived sound wave. When the reflected sound wave arrives at receiver69032 a, the primary sinusoidal component of the wave may be at adifferent phase than when it arrives at receiver 69032 b (and likewisewith respect to receiver 69032 c). As a result, phase shifters 69056 caninduce a known amount of phase shift into the primary sinusoidalcomponent of the wave received by their respective receivers in order tobring all the reflected sound waves into the same phase angle.

Phase shifter 69056 a may induce a certain amount of phase shift intothe primary sinusoidal component of the desired sound wave received byreceiver 69032 a, while phase shifter 69056 b may induce a differentamount of phase shift into the primary sinusoidal component of the soundwave received by receiver 69032 b to bring the sound waves received byreceivers 69032 a and 69032 b into the same phase. Accordingly, phaseshifter 69056 c may induce a different amount of phase shift into theprimary sinusoidal component of the sound wave received by receiver69032 c to bring the primary sinusoidal component of the wave into phasewith the primary sinusoidal component of the sound waves shifted byphase shifters 69056 a and 69056 b. The difference in the amounts ofphase shift induced by phase shifters 69056 may be relative to thedistance between their respective receivers 69032 of acoustic positionmeasurement system 69023. The phase shift inducement can increase thereception of the primary sinusoidal component of the reflected soundwave since the wave received by each receiver will now be in phase withthe wave received by the other receivers, thus increasing the amplitudeof the sum of the primary sinusoidal components of the reflected soundwave. It should be understood that it may not be necessary for one ormore phase shifters 69056 to induce a phase shift into a reflected soundwave received by their respective receivers 69032 in order to bring eachprimary sinusoidal component of the received wave into the same phase.

Combiner 69058 combines the sound waves plus noise received by eachrespective receiver into one signal after such waves plus noise havepassed through amplifiers 69054 and phase shifters 69056. The combinedsignal is then amplified by amplifier 69060. Band pass filter (BPF)69062 filters out undesired frequencies and/or noise picked up byreceivers 69032. Such undesired frequencies are typically allfrequencies other than the frequency of the primary sinusoidal componentof the sound waves transmitted by transmitters 69034. BPF 69062 may beset so that it only passes through this certain desired frequency andattenuates all others to the maximum extent possible.

Other techniques or devices may also be used to reduce or filter outundesired noise received by receivers 69032. For example, the functionof the BPF may, instead, be implemented by digitizing the signal in ananalog-to-digital converter, and then digitally filtering the resultingdata stream by well-known means in a digital signal processor. Foranother example, the rotation of the drill string may be reduced orstopped while the measurement system is in operation in order to reduceundesired noise in the well bore. The drill bit may also be backed awayfrom the surface being drilled. Furthermore, the circulation of drillingfluid may be reduced or stopped to reduce undesired acoustic noise.

After the signal has passed through BPF 69062, a processor 64 of theelectronics package calculates the distance from acoustic positionmeasurement system 69023 to the boundary of the target formation (e.g.,boundary 69028 of coal seam 69026 of FIG. 69) based upon the amount oftime it took between transmission of the sound wave and the reception ofthe reflected sound wave received by receivers 69032. Such distance is aproduct of one-half such amount of time and the average acousticpropagation velocity of the subterranean material through which thetransmitted and reflected sound waves have traveled.

The amplitude of the reflected sound wave received by receivers 69032is, in part, a function of the acoustic attenuation properties of thematerials through with the sound wave passes and of the boundaryformation from which the sound wave reflects. In addition, the portionof the transmitted energy reflected at the formation boundary is adirect function of the difference in densities between the targetformation and the adjacent formation that forms the boundary formation.For example, the density of material immediately forming the boundariesof a coal seam (i.e., shale, sandstone, limestone, etc.) may beapproximately 2.6 to 2.8 times the density of water, while the densitywithin the coal seam may be approximately 1.4 times the density ofwater. This may result in a density ratio between those two areas ofapproximately 2:1.

Any acoustic properties of these materials which change with acousticfrequency may also be helpful in choosing the frequency of the soundwave to be transmitted by the transmitters of the acoustic positionmeasurement system. The choice of such frequency may, for example, bebased on minimizing the acoustic attenuation of the primary sinusoidalcomponent of the sound waves transmitted by transmitters 69034.

Directional sensor 69038 determines a directional reference position foracoustic position measurement system 69023. This determination may, forexample, be the rotational position (in terms of degrees measured fromthe local gravitational vertical) of acoustic position measurementsystem 69023 or receivers 69032 at a particular time. Directional sensor69038 also may determine other directional positions, such as theinclination of acoustic position measurement system 69023 in otherembodiments. This information, combined with the distance informationdetermined by electronics package 69036 may be communicated to anoperator at the surface. Such communication may be made using awireline, a mud pulse, an electromagnetic pulse or other techniquesknown by one skilled in the art. Such communication may also be made bya separate transmitter section 69015, as illustrated in FIG. 69. In someembodiments, directional sensor 69038 may be included in a section ofdrill string 69012 separate from sensor section 69022.

Timer 69040 can activate and deactivate transmitters 69034 andamplifiers 69054 at a particular time to minimize the reception ofacoustic noise or false signals, and/or to avoid possible electricalsaturation or burnout of transmitters 69034, amplifiers 69054 and othercomponents of electronics portion 69036. For example, timer 69040 maydeactivate amplifiers 69054 during and shortly after a time window whena sound wave is being transmitted. Subsequently, amplifiers 69054 may beactivated during a window in which the sound wave is expected to bereceived after being reflected from boundaries 69028 or 69029 of coalseam 69026 of FIG. 69. This process can reduce the potential to amplifyand process reflections of the sound wave from other surrounding strataand can also reduce the possibility of electrical saturation and/orburnout of amplifiers 69054 and other components of electronics portion69036 resulting from amplifying and processing undesired sound waves ornoise from within the well bore.

The distance information produced by processor 69064 is combined byprocessor 69064 with directional information produced by directionalsensor 69038. Such information may be communicated to an operator or toan automated drill guidance system through communication port 69066. Theinformation may enable an operator or an automated drill guidance systemto keep the drill string at a desired relative position within thetarget formation. For example, if the operator or automated drillguidance system receives distance and directional information indicatingthat the drill string is getting closer than desired to a boundary ofthe target formation, the operator or automated drill guidance systemmay guide the drill string in another direction to keep it centralizedwithin the target formation.

Distance and directional information may be displayed to an operator atthe surface in any of a number of ways. One example of such a display isan analog display showing two numbers—one number representing therotation position of receivers 69032 of acoustic position measurementsystem 69023 and another number representing the distance from receivers69032 at such rotational position to a target formation boundary. Anoperator can use this information to steer the drilling member in orderto maintain a centralized position within the coal seam. The orientationinformation (i.e. rotation and inclination position) of the acousticposition measurement system may be combined with the distanceinformation and the distance between the acoustic position measurementsystem and the drill bit to determine how far the drill bit is from aparticular boundary of the coal seam. Electronics package 69036 may alsosend a signal to the surface when the acoustic position measurementsystem is within a certain range of a boundary of a coal seam.Electronics package 36 may also determine and indicate which boundaryformation the acoustic position measurement system is being approached.

The directional and distance information may also be used to chart apolar distance map of the surrounding strata. FIG. 72 illustrates apolar distance map 69070 in accordance with a particular embodiment ofthe present invention. Electronics package 69036 or another device mayalso be able to chart such a map based on the distance informationprovided by electronics package 69036 and the directional informationprovided by directional sensor 69038. The polar distance map may becontinuously updated in real time and may be charted below the surface.It may be displayed on a visual display at the surface, such as acomputer display.

Referring to FIG. 72, polar distance map 69070 shows the distance fromthe acoustic position measurement system of the drill string to a pointof closest approach (PCA) 69072 of the target formation boundary in onedirection and to a PCA 69074 of the target formation boundary in anopposite direction. If it is desired to maintain a centralized positionwithin the target formation with respect to the directions upon whichpolar distance map 69070 is based, an operator or automated drillguidance system would want polar distance map 69070 to appearsymmetrical (e.g., approximately equal distance to PCA 69072 and to PCA69074), as illustrated. If a polar distance map shows that the distanceto one PCA is less than the distance to another PCA, the operator orautomated drill guidance system can steer the drill string away from thedirection represented by PCA closer to the drill string in order tocentrally position the drill string within the coal seam.

FIG. 73 illustrates an example method for determining a desired positionfor a drilling member using an acoustic position measurement system, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The methodbegins at step 69100 where a sound wave is transmitted in a targetformation, such as a coal seam, using an acoustic transmitter. The soundwave reflects from a boundary formation proximate the target formation,such as boundary layers 69028 and 69029 of FIG. 69. Particularembodiments may include transmitting a plurality of sound waves using aplurality of acoustic transmitters. Step 69102 includes receiving areflected sound wave using an acoustic receiver. The reflected soundwave may comprise a reflection of the sound wave transmitted in step69100 from the boundary formation. Particular embodiments may includereceiving a plurality of reflected sound waves using a plurality ofacoustic receivers.

Step 69104 includes processing the reflected sound wave using anelectronics portion coupled to the acoustic receiver. Such processingmay comprise amplifying the reflected sound wave using an amplifiercoupled to the acoustic receiver. The function of the amplifier may bechanged by a timer at specified times and for specified durations aftertransmission of the sound wave to prevent amplifier saturation by thetransmitted wave and “near field” returns, and to otherwise reduce theacoustic noise energy input to the amplifier. In particular embodimentswhere a plurality of reflected sound waves are received using aplurality of acoustic receivers, the method may include shifting thephase of the primary sinusoidal component of at least one of thereflected sound waves using the electronics portion to bring the primarysinusoidal component of each reflected sound wave into alignment withrespect to the primary sinusoidal component of the other reflected soundwaves. Such phase shifting may be accomplished using one or more phaseshifters of the electronics portion. In some embodiments, the reflectedsound waves may be combined to generate a signal. The signal may also befiltered before and/or after amplification using a band pass filter,digital signal processing and/or other methods to minimize the receptionof out of band acoustic noise energy.

Step 69106 includes producing data output based on the reflected soundwave. The data output may be indicative of a position of the acousticposition measurement system in the target formation, such as thedistance from the acoustic position measurement system to the boundaryformation. Particular embodiments may include detecting a directionalposition of the system using a directional sensor. In such cases, thedata output may comprise the directional position and a distance fromthe system to the boundary formation. Step 69108 includes communicatingthe data output to a surface device. Such communication may be madethrough suitable wireline and/or wireless links, such as drilling fluidpressure pulses or electromagnetic transmissions.

FIG. 74 illustrates production from a coal seam 74015 to the surfaceusing the multi-well system 74010 in accordance with several embodimentsof the present invention. In particular, FIG. 74 illustrates the use ofgas lift to produce water from a coal seam 74015. FIG. 74 illustratesthe use of a rod pump to produce water from the coal seam 74015. In oneembodiment, water production may be initiated by gas lift to clean outthe cavity 74020 and kick-off production. After production kick-off, thegas lift equipment may be replaced with a rod pump for further removalof water during the life of the well. Thus, while gas lift may be usedto produce water during the life of the well, for economic reasons, thegas lift system may be replaced with a rod pump for further and/orcontinued removal of water from the cavity 74020 over the life of thewell. In these and other embodiments, evolving gas disorbed from coal inthe seam 74015 and produced to the surface 74014 is collected at thewell head and after fluid separation may be flared, stored or fed into apipeline.

As described in more detail below, for water saturated coal seams 74015water pressure may need to be reduced below the initial reservoirpressure of an area of the coal seam 74015 before methane and other gaswill start to diffuse or disorb from the coal in that area. For shallowcoal beds at or around 1000 feet, the initial reservoir pressure istypically about 300 psi. For undersaturated coals, pressure may need tobe reduced well below initial reservoir pressure down to the criticaldisorbtion pressure. Sufficient reduction in the water pressure for gasproduction may take weeks and/or months depending on configuration ofthe well bore pattern 74050, water recharge in the coal seam 74015,cavity pumping rates and/or any subsurface drainage through mines andother man made or natural structures that drain water from the coal seam74015 without surface lift. From non-water saturated coal seams 74015,reservoir pressure may similarly need to be reduced before methane gaswill start to diffuse or disorb from coal in the coverage area. Free andnear-well bore gas may be produced prior to the substantial reduction inreservoir pressure or the start of disorbtion. The amount of gasdisorbed from coal may increase exponentially or with other non-lineargeometric progression with a drop in reservoir pressure. In this type ofcoal seam, gas lift, rod pumps and other water production equipment maybe omitted.

Referring to FIG. 74, after the well bores 74012 and 74030, and wellbore pattern 74050 have been drilled, the drill string 74040 is removedfrom the articulated well bore 74030 and the articulated well bore 74030is capped. A tubing string 74070 is disposed into well bore 74012 with aport 74072 positioned in the enlarged cavity 74020. The enlarged cavity74020 provides a reservoir for water or other fluids collected throughthe drainage pattern 74050 from the coal seam 74015. In one embodiment,the tubing string 74070 may be a casing string for a rod pump to beinstalled after the completion of gas lift and the port 74072 may be theintake port for the rod pump. In this embodiment, the tubing may be a 2⅞tubing used for a rod pump. It will be understood that other suitabletypes of tubing operable to carry air or other gases or materialssuitable for gas lift may be used.

At the surface 74014, an air compressor 74074 is connected to the tubingstring 74070. Air compressed by the compressor 74074 is pumped down thetubing string 74070 and exits into the cavity 74020 at the port 74072.The air used for gas lift and/or for the previously described underbalanced drilling may be ambient air at the site or may be or includeany other suitable gas. For example, produced gas may be returned to thecavity and used for gas lift. In the cavity, the compressed air expandsand suspends liquid droplets within its volume and lifts them to thesurface. In one embodiment, for shallow coal beds 74015 at or around onethousand feet, air may be compressed to three hundred to three hundredfifty psi and provided at a rate of nine hundred cubic feet per minute(CFM). At this rate and pressure, the gas lift system may lift up tothree thousand, four thousand or five thousand barrels a day of water tothe surface.

At the surface, air and fluids are fed into a fluid separator 74076.Produced gas and lift air may be outlet at air/gas port 74078 and flaredwhile remaining fluids are outlet at fluid port 74079 for transport orother removal, reinjection or surface runoff. It will be understood thatwater may be otherwise suitably removed from the cavity 74020 and/ordrainage pattern 74050 without production to the surface. For example,the water may be reinjected into an adjacent or other undergroundstructure by pumping, directing or allowing the flow of the water to theother structure.

During gas lift, the rate and/or pressure of compressed air provided tothe cavity may be adjusted to control the volume of water produced tothe surface. In one embodiment, a sufficient rate and/or pressure ofcompressed air may be provided to the cavity 74020 to lift all orsubstantially all of the water collected by the cavity 74020 from a coalseam 74015. This may provide for a rapid pressure drop in the coveragearea of the coal seam 74015 and allow for kick-off of the well toself-sustaining flow within one, two or a few weeks. In otherembodiments, the rate and/or pressure of air provided may be controlledto limit water production below the attainable amount due to limitationsin disposing of produced water and/or damage to the coal seam 74015 orequipment by high rates of production. In a particular embodiment, aturbidity meter may be used at the well head to monitor the presence ofparticles in the produced water. If the amount of particles is over aspecified limit, a controller may adjust a flow control valve to reducethe production rate. The controller may adjust the valve to specificflow rates and/or use feedback from the turbidity meter to adjust theflow control valve to a point where the amount of particles in the wateris at a specified amount.

FIG. 75 illustrates a well bore pattern 75400 in accordance with stillanother embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, thewell bore pattern 75400 provides access to a substantially diamond orparallelogram-shaped area 75402 of a subterranean resource. A number ofthe well bore patterns 75400 may be used together to provide uniformaccess to a large subterranean region.

Referring to FIG. 75 the articulated well bore 74030 defines a firstcorner of the area 75402. The well bore pattern 75400 includes a mainwell bore 75404 extending diagonally across the area 75402 to a distantcorner 75406 of the area 75402. For drainage applications, the wellbores 74012 and 74030 may be positioned over the area 75402 such thatthe well bore 75404 is drilled up the slope of the coal seam 74015. Thismay facilitate collection of water, gas, and other fluids from the area75402. The well bore 75404 is drilled using the drill string 74040 andextends from the enlarged cavity 74020 in alignment with the articulatedwell bore 74030.

A plurality of lateral well bores 75410 extend from the opposite sidesof well bore 75404 to a periphery 75412 of the area 75402. The lateralwell bores 75410 may mirror each other on opposite sides of the wellbore 75404 or may be offset from each other along the well bore 75404.Each of the lateral well bores 75410 includes a radius curving portion75414 extending from the well bore 75404 and an elongated portion 75416formed after the curved portion 75414 has reached a desired orientation.For uniform coverage of the area 75402, pairs of lateral well bores75410 may be substantially equally spaced on each side of the well bore75404 and extend from the well bore 75404 at an angle of approximately60 degrees. The lateral well bores 75410 shorten in length based onprogression away from the enlarged diameter cavity 74020. As with theother pinnate patterns, the quantity and spacing of lateral well bores75410 may be varied to accommodate a variety of resource areas, sizesand well bore requirements. For example, lateral well bores 75410 may bedrilled from a single side of the well bore 75404 to form a one-halfpinnate pattern.

FIG. 76 illustrates a tri-pinnate well bore pattern 75440 in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. The tri-pinnate well borepattern 75440 includes three discrete well bore patterns 75400 eachdraining a portion of a region 75442 covered by the well bore pattern75440. Each of the well bore patterns 75400 includes a well bore 75404and a set of lateral well bores 75410 extending from the well bore75404. In the tri-pinnate pattern embodiment illustrated in FIG. 76,each of the well bores 75404 and 75410 are drilled from a commonarticulated well bore 74030 and fluid and/or gas may be removed from orintroduced into the subterranean zone through a cavity 74020 incommunication with each well bore 75404. This allows tighter spacing ofthe surface production equipment, wider coverage of a well bore patternand reduces drilling equipment and operations.

Each well bore 75404 is formed at a location relative to other wellbores 75404 to accommodate access to a particular subterranean region.For example, well bores 75404 may be formed having a spacing or adistance between adjacent well bores 75404 to accommodate access to asubterranean region such that only three well bores 75404 are required.Thus, the spacing between adjacent well bores 75404 may be varied toaccommodate varied concentrations of resources of a subterranean zone.Therefore, the spacing between adjacent well bores 75404 may besubstantially equal or may vary to accommodate the uniquecharacteristics of a particular subterranean resource. For example, inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 76, the spacing between each wellbore 75404 is substantially equal at an angle of approximately 120degrees from each other, thereby resulting in each well bore pattern75400 extending in a direction approximately 120 degrees from anadjacent well bore pattern 75400. However, other suitable well borespacing angles, patterns or orientations may be used to accommodate thecharacteristics of a particular subterranean resource. Thus, asillustrated in FIG. 76, each well bore 75404 and corresponding well borepattern 75400 extends outwardly from well bore 75444 in a differentdirection, thereby forming a substantially symmetrical pattern. As willbe illustrated in greater detail below, the symmetrically formed wellbore patterns may be positioned or nested adjacent each other to providesubstantially uniform access to a subterranean zone.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 76, each well bore pattern 75400also includes a set of lateral well bores 75448 extending from lateralwell bores 75410. The lateral well bores 75448 may mirror each other onopposite sides of the lateral well bore 75410 or may be offset from eachother along the lateral well bore 75410. Each of the lateral well bores75448 includes a radius curving portion 75460 extending from the lateralwell bore 75410 and an elongated portion 75462 formed after the curvedportion 75460 has reached a desired orientation. For uniform coverage ofthe region 75442, pairs of lateral well bores 75448 may be disposedsubstantially equally spaced on each side of the lateral well bore75410. Additionally, lateral well bores 75448 extending from one lateralwell bore 75410 may be disposed to extend between or proximate lateralwell bores 75448 extending from an adjacent lateral well bore 75410 toprovide uniform coverage of the region 75442. However, the quantity,spacing, and angular orientation of lateral well bores 75448 may bevaried to accommodate a variety of resource areas, sizes and well borerequirements.

As described above in connection with FIG. 75, each well bore pattern75400 generally provides access to a quadrilaterally shaped area orregion 75402. In FIG. 75, the region 75402 is substantially in the formof a diamond or parallelogram. As illustrated in FIG. 76, the well borepatterns 75400 may be arranged such that sides 75449 of eachquadrilaterally shaped region 75448 are disposed substantially in commonwith each other to provide uniform coverage of the region 75442.

FIG. 77 illustrates an alignment or nested arrangement of well borepatterns within a subterranean zone in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. In this embodiment, three discreet well borepatterns 75400 are used to form a series of generally hexagonallyconfigured well bore patterns 75450, for example, similar to the wellbore pattern 75440 illustrated in FIG. 76. Thus, the well bore pattern75450 comprises a set of well bore sub-patterns, such as well borepatterns 75400, to obtain a desired geometrical configuration or accessshape. The well bore patterns 75450 may be located relative to eachother such that the well bore patterns 75450 are nested in a generallyhoneycomb-shaped arrangement, thereby maximizing the area of access to asubterranean resource using fewer well bore patterns 75450. Prior tomining of the subterranean resource, the well bore patterns 75450 may bedrilled from the surface to degasify the subterranean resource wellahead of mining operations.

The quantity of discreet well bore patterns 75400 may also be varied toproduce other geometrically-configured well bore patterns such that theresulting well bore patterns may be nested to provide uniform coverageof a subterranean resource. For example, in FIGS. 76-77, three discreetwell bore patterns 75400 are illustrated in communication with a centralwell bore 75404, thereby forming a six-sided or hexagonally configuredwell bore pattern 75440 and 75450. However, greater or fewer than threediscreet well bore patterns 75400 may also be used in communication witha central well bore 75404 such that a plurality of the resultingmulti-sided well bore patterns may be nested together to provide uniformcoverage of a subterranean resource and/or accommodate the geometriccharacteristics of a particular subterranean resource. For example, thepinnate and quad-pinnate patterns may be nested to provide uniformcoverage of a subterranean field.

FIG. 78 illustrates a well bore pattern 75500 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, well borepattern 75500 comprises two discreet well bore patterns 75502 eachproviding access to a portion of a region 75504 covered by the well borepattern 75500. Each of the well bore patterns 75502 includes a well bore75506 and a set of lateral well bores 75508 extending from the well bore75506. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 78, each of the well bores75506 and 75508 are drilled from a common articulated well bore 74030and fluid and/or gas may be removed from or introduced into thesubterranean zone through the cavity 74020 of well bore 74012 incommunication with each well bore 75506. In this embodiment, the wellbores 74020 and 74030 are illustrated offset from each other; however,it should be understood that well bore pattern 75500 as well as othersuitable pinnate patterns may also be formed using a common surface wellbore configuration with the wells slanting or otherwise separatingbeneath the surface. This may allow tighter spacing of the surfaceproduction equipment, wider coverage of a well bore pattern and reducedrilling equipment and operations.

Referring to FIG. 78, the well bores 75506 are disposed substantiallyopposite each other at an angle of approximately 180 degrees, therebyresulting in each well bore pattern 75502 extending in an oppositedirection. However, other suitable well bore spacing angles, patterns ororientations may be used to accommodate the characteristics of aparticular subterranean resource. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.78, each well bore pattern 75502 includes lateral well bores 75508extending from well bores 75506. The lateral well bores 75508 may mirroreach other on opposite sides of the well bores 75506 or may be offsetfrom each other along the well bores 75506. Each of the lateral wellbores 75508 includes a radius curving portion 75518 extending from thewell bore 75506 and an elongated portion 75520 formed after the curvedportion 75518 has reached a desired orientation. For uniform coverage ofthe region 75504, pairs of lateral well bores 75508 may be disposedsubstantially equally spaced on each side of the well bore 75506.However, the quantity, spacing, and angular orientation of lateral wellbores 75508 may be varied to accommodate a variety of resource areas,sizes and well bore requirements. As described above, the lateral wellbores 75508 may be formed such that the length of each lateral well bore75508 decreases as the distance between each respective lateral wellbore 75508 and the well bores 74020 or 74030 increases. Accordingly, thedistance from the well bores 74020 or 74030 to a periphery of the region75504 along each lateral well bore 75508 is substantially equal, therebyproviding ease of well bore formation.

In this embodiment, each well bore pattern 75502 generally providesaccess to a triangular shaped area or region 75522. The triangularshaped regions 75522 are formed by disposing the lateral well bores75508 substantially orthogonal to the well bores 75506. The triangularshaped regions 75522 are disposed adjacent each other such that eachregion 75522 has a side 75524 substantially in common with each other.The combination of regions 75522 thereby forms a substantiallyquadrilateral shaped region 75504. As described above, multiple wellbore patterns 75500 may be nested together to provide substantiallyuniform access to subterranean zones.

FIG. 79 illustrates a multi-well system for accessing a subterraneanzone from a limited surface area in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. In this embodiment, a small surface well borearea 75544 bounding the wells at the surface allows a limited drillingand production pad 75536 size at the surface and thus may minimize orreduce environmental disturbance in the drilling and production siteand/or allows accessing a large subterranean area from a roadside orother small area in steep or other terrain. It will be understood thatother suitable multi-well systems may be used for accessing asubterranean zone from a limited or other surface area without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. For example, wells slanting inwhole or in part from the surface with horizontal and/or other suitablepatterns drilled off the slant may be used in connection with thepresent invention without intersection of disparate surface wells. Inthis embodiment, water or other fluids from one or more horizontalpatterns overflow into the slanted well where it is collected in acavity or other bottom hole location and removed by gas lift or pumpingto the surface or by diversion to another area or subterraneanformation.

Referring to FIG. 79, a central surface well bore 75532 is disposedoffset relative to a pattern of well bores 75534 at the surface 75536and intersects each of the well bores 75534 below the surface. In thisembodiment, the well bores 75532 and 75534 are disposed in asubstantially non-linear pattern in close proximity to each other toreduce or minimize the area required for the well bores 75532 and 75534on the surface 75536. It will be understood that the well bores 75534may be otherwise positioned at the surface relative to each other andthe central articulating surface bore 75532. For example, the bores mayhave inline configuration.

Well bore patterns 75538 are formed within target zone 75540 exitingfrom cavities 75542 located at the intersecting junctions of the wellbores 75532 and 75534. Well bore patterns 75538 may comprise pinnatepatterns as described above, or may include other suitable patterns foraccessing the zone 75540.

As illustrated by FIG. 79, the well bores 75532 and 75534 may bedisposed in close proximity to each other at the surface while providinggenerally uniform access to a large area of the target zone 75540. Forexample, well bores 75532 and 75534 may each be disposed withinapproximately thirty feet of another well and/or within two hundredfeet, one hundred feet or less of every other well at the surface sitewhile providing access to three hundred, five hundred, seven hundredfifty, one thousand or even twelve hundred or more acres in the zone75540. Further, for example, the well bores 75532 and 75534 may bedisposed in a surface well bore area 75544 less than two thousand, onethousand, seven hundred fifty, or even five hundred square feet, therebyreducing or minimizing the footprint required on the surface. Thesurface well bore area 75544 is a smallest quadrilateral that bounds thewells at the surface and may have the dimensions of thirty-two feet bythirty-two feet and form a substantial square or may have the dimensionsof fifty feet by two hundred feet and form a substantial rectangle. Thedrilling pad 75536 may have an area of three-quarters of an acre for atight well spacing at the surface with each well being withinapproximately thirty feet of at least one other well at the site. Inanother embodiment, the surface pad 75536 may have an area of two acreswith three-quarters of an acre for the center articulated well andone-quarter of an acre for each of four substantially vertical wellsoffset by about three hundred feet at the surface from the center well.The drilling pad 75536 may be a square or other suitable quadrilateraland may include small areas that jut out and/or in of the quadrilateral,polygonal or other shape of the pad. In addition, one or more sides maybe non-linear and/or one or more corners may be non-congruent.

Beneath the surface, well bore junctions or cavities 75542 in wells75534 may be horizontally displaced or outward of the surface locationof the wells such that a subsurface well bore junction area 75546bounding the junctions is substantially larger in size than the surfacewell bore area. This junction placement is due to, or allows, largeradius curves for formation of the horizontal pattern, which improves oroptimizes the subsurface reach of drilling equipment to form thehorizontal drainage pattern. In a particular embodiment the subsurfacejunction area is the smallest quadrilateral to include all the cavitiesformed from this site and, in this and other embodiments, may be betweenfour and five acres. As previously described, the coverage, or drainagearea may be still substantially larger covering three hundred, fivehundred or more acres in the zone 75540. Thus, the multi-well systemprovides a vertical profile with a minimal or limited surface area andimpact; enlarged, optimized or maximized subsurface drainage area; andan intermediate subsurface junction area to which fluids from thedrainage pattern flow for collection and production to the surface.

FIG. 80 illustrates the matrix structure 75550 of coal in the seam 74015in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The coal maybe bright banded coal with closely spaced cleats, dull banded coal withwidely spaced cleats and/or other suitable types of coals.

Referring to FIG. 80, the coal structure 75550 includes bedding planes75552, face, or primary, cleats 75554, and butt, or secondary, cleats75556. The face and butt cleats 75554 and 75556 are perpendicular to thebedding plane 75552 and to each other. In one embodiment, the face andbutt cleats 75554 and 75556 may have a spacing between cleavage planesof one-eighth to one half of an inch.

In accordance with the present invention, the coal structure 75550 has amedium effective permeability between three and ten millidarcies or alow effective permeability of below three millidarcies. In particularembodiments, the coal structure 75550 may have an ultra low effectivepermeability below one millidarcy. Permeability is the capacity of amatrix to transmit a fluid and is the measure of the relative ease offluid flow under an equal pressure drop. Effective permeability is apermeability of the coal or other formation matrix to gas or water andmay be determined by well testing and/or long-term trends. For example,effective permeability may be determined by insitu slug tests, injectionor draw down tests or other suitable direct or indirect well testingmethods. Effective permeability may also be determined based on suitabledata and modeling. The effective permeability is the matrix or formationpermeability and may change during the life of a well. As used herein,the effective permeability of a formation and/or area of a formation isthe median or mean effective permeability at substantially continuousflow conditions or simulated substantially continuous flow conditions ofa formation or area over the life of the well, or over the period duringwhich a majority of gas in the area is produced. The coal structure75550 may also have a medium absolute permeability between three andmillidarcies or a low absolute permeability below three millidarcies.Absolute permeability is the ability of the matrix to conduct a fluid,such as a gas or liquid at one hundred percent saturation of that fluid.The relative permeability of the formation is the relationship betweenthe permeability to gas versus the permeability to water.

As water is removed from the coal structure 75550 through the pinnate orother multi-branching pattern at an accelerated rate, the large areapressure reduction of the coverage area affects a large rock volume. Thebulk coal matrix 75550 may shrink as it releases methane and causes anattendant increase in the width of the face and/or butt cleats 75554 and75556. The increase in cleat width may increase permeability, which mayfurther accelerate removal of water and gas from the coal seam 74015.

FIG. 81 illustrates the structure 75580 of an area of the coal seam74015 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Thecoal bed structure 75580 includes natural fractures 75582, 75584 and75586. The natural fractures may be interconnected bedding planes, facecleats and/or butt cleats. Thus, the natural fractures may have one ormore primary orientations in the coal seam that are perpendicular toeach other and may hydraulically connect a series of smaller scalecleats. The natural fractures form high capacity pathways, may increasesystem permeability by an order of magnitude and thus may not sufferlarge reductions in permeability through relative permeability effectsin medium and low permeability coals.

During production, as water and/or reservoir pressure is dropped in thecoal seam 74015, gas evolves from the coal matrix 75550. The presence ofgas in two-phase flow with the water may, for example, reduce therelative permeability of the coal matrix 75550 relative to gas down toless than five percent of the absolute permeability. In otherembodiments, the relative permeability of the coal matrix relative togas may be reduced down to between three and twenty percent of absolutepermeability or down to between eighteen and thirty percent of absolutepermeability. As water saturation and/or pressure in the seam 74015 isfurther reduced, the relative permeability may increase up to abouttwelve percent of absolute permeability at an irreducible watersaturation. The irreducible water saturation may be at about seventy toeighty percent of full saturation. Travel of gas and water throughnatural cleats or fractures, however, may not be affected or notsignificantly affected by the relative permeability of the matrix 75550.Thus, gas and water may be collected from the coal seam 74015 throughthe natural fractures despite a relatively low relative permeability ofthe coal matrix 75550 due to two-phase flow of gas and water.

FIGS. 82-83 illustrate provision of a well bore pattern 7550 in a coalseam 74015 and pressure drop across a coverage area of the pattern 7550in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the well bore pattern 7550 is the pinnate pattern 75200described in connection with FIG. 8. It will be understood that theother pinnate and suitable multi-branching patterns may generate asimilar pressure drop across the coverage area.

Referring to FIG. 82, the pinnate pattern 75200 is provided in the coalseam 74015 by forming the pattern in the coal seam 74015, having thepattern formed, or using a preexisting pattern. The pinnate pattern75200 includes the main bore 75204 and a plurality of equally spacedlaterals 75210. Laterals 75210 are substantially perpendicular to eachother and offset from the main bore by forty-five degrees. As a result,the pattern 75200 is omni-directional in that significant portions ofbore length have disparate orientations. The omni-directional nature ofthe pinnate pattern 75200 may allow the pattern to intersect asubstantial or other suitable percentage of the natural fractures 75582,75584 and 75586 of the coal seam 74015 regardless of the orientation ofthe pattern in the seam magnifying the effective well bore radius.During production operations, such intensive coverage of naturalfractures by the well bore pattern may allow for otherwise trapped waterand gas to use the nearest natural fracture and easily drain to the wellbore. In this way, high initial gas production rates realized. In aparticular embodiment, the natural fractures may carry a majority orother suitable portion of gas and water from the coal seam 74015 intothe pinnate pattern 75200 for collection at the cavity 74020 andproduction to the surface 74014.

In one embodiment, the pinnate pattern 75200 may cover an area of twohundred fifty acres, have a substantially equal width to length ratioand have the laterals 75210 each spaced approximately eight hundred feetapart. In this embodiment, a substantial portion of the coverage area75202 may be within four hundred feet from the main and/or lateral bores75204 and 75210 with over fifty percent of the coverage area 75202 beingmore than one hundred fifty to two hundred feet away from the bores. Thepattern 75200, in conjunction with a pump, may be operable to expose anddrain five hundred barrels per day of water, of which about ninetypercent may be non recharge water. In gas lift and other embodiments, upto and/or over four thousand or five thousand barrels per day of watermay be removed.

Opposing bores 75204 and/or 75210 of the pinnate pattern 75200 cooperatewith each other to drain the intermediate area of the formation and thusreduce pressure of the formation. Typically, in each section of theformation between the bores 75204 and/or 75210, the section is drainedby the nearest bore 75204 and/or 75210 resulting in a uniform drop inpressure between the bores. A pressure distribution 75600 may besteadily reduced during production.

The main and lateral well bores 75204 and 75210 effectively increasewell-bore radius with the large surface area of the lateral bores 75210promoting high flow rates with minimized skin damage effects. Inaddition, the trough pressure production of the bores 75204 and 75210affects an extended area of the formation. Thus, essentially all theformation in the coverage are 75202 is exposed to a drainage point andcontinuity of the flow unit is enhanced. As a result, trap zones ofunrecovered gas are reduced.

Under virgin or drilled-in reservoir conditions for a thousand feet deepcoal bed, formation pressure may initially be three hundred psi. Thus,at the time the pinnate pattern 75200 is formed, the pressure at thebores 75204 and 75210 and at points equal distance between the bores75204 and 75210 may be at or close to the initial reservoir pressure.

During water and/or gas production, water is continuously or otherwisedrained from the coverage area 75202 to the bores 75204 and 75210 andcollected in the cavity 74020 for removal to the surface. Influx water75602 from surrounding formations is captured at the tips of 75604 ofthe main and lateral bores 75204 and 75210 to prevent recharge of thecoverage area and thus allow continued pressure depletion. Thus, thecoverage area is shielded from the surrounding formation with ninetypercent or more of produced water being non recharge water. Waterpressure may be steadily and substantially uniformly reduced across orthroughout the coverage area 75202 until a minimal differential isobtained. In one embodiment, for a mature well, the differential may beless than or equal to 20 to 7550 psi within, for example, three to eightyears in a medium or low pressure well. In a particular embodiment, thepressure differential may be less than 10 psi.

During dewatering, water saturation in the drainage or coverage area maybe reduced by ten to thirty percent within one to three years. In aparticular embodiment, water saturation may be reduced by ten percentwithin two years of the start of water production and thirty percentwithin three years of the start of water production. Reduction to anirreducible level may be within three, five or eight or more years ofthe start of water production.

As reservoir and/or water pressure decreases in the coverage area 75202,methane gas is diffused from the coal and produced through the cavity74020 to the surface 74014. In accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention, removal of approximately 75500 barrels a day or othersuitable large volume of water from a 200-250 acre area of the coal seam74015, in connection with the pinnate or other pattern 75200 and/or asubstantial uniform pressure drop in the coverage area 75202, initiateskick-off of the well, which includes the surface or production bore orbores as well as the hydraulically connected drainage bore or bores inthe target zone. Removal volumes for kick-off may be about one tenth ofthe original water volume, or in a range of one eighth to one twelfth,and may suitably vary based on reservoir conditions. Early gas releasemay begin within one to two months of pumping operations. Early gasrelease and kick-off may coincide or be at separate times.

Upon early gas release, gas may be produced in two-phase flow with thewater. The inclusion of gas in two-phase flow may lower the hydrostaticspecific gravity of the combined stream below that of water therebyfurther dropping formation pressure in the area of two-phase flow andaccelerating production from the formation. Moreover, the gas releasemay act as a propellant for two-phase flow production. In addition, thepressure reduction may affect a large rock volume causing a coal orother formation matrix to shrink and further accelerate gas release. Forthe coal seam 74015, the attendant increase in cleat width may increaseformation permeability and may thereby further expedite gas productionfrom the formation. During gas release, kick off occurs when the rate ofgas produced increases sharply and/or abruptly and gas production maythen become self-sustaining

FIG. 83 illustrates pressure differential in the coal seam 74015 acrossline 82-82 of FIG. 81 in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, the well is in a relatively shallow,water saturated, 1000 feet deep coal seam 74015. The lateral bores 75210are spaced approximately 800 feet apart.

Referring to FIG. 83, distance across the coverage area 75202 is shownon the X axis 75652 with pressure on the Y axis 75654. Pressuredifferential, excepting blockage and friction, is in a particularembodiment at or substantially near 3 psi at the lateral bores 75210 andthe main bore 75204. In the coverage area between the bores 75204 and75210, the pressure differential, which does not include pressure due toblockage, friction and the like is less than or equal to 7 psi. Thus,substantially all the formation in the coverage area is exposed to adrainage point, continuity of the flow unit is maintained and waterpressure and saturation is reduced through the coverage area. Trap zonesof unrecovered gas are minimized. Pressure outside the coverage area maybe at an initial reservoir pressure of 300 psi. The pressure increasegradiant may be steep as shown or more gradual.

A substantially uniform pressure gradiant within the coverage area 75202may be obtained within three months of the start of water productionusing gas lift and within six to nine months using rod pumps. Undercontinued substantially continuous flow conditions, the pressuredifferential may be maintained throughout the life of the well. It willbe understood that the pressure may increase due to recharge water andgas if the well is shut in for any appreciable period of time. In thiscase, the water may again be removed using gas lift or rod pumps. Itwill be further understood that water may be otherwise suitably removedwithout production to the surface by down hole reinjection, a subsurfacesystem of circuits, and the like. In some areas, a pressure differentialof ten psi may be obtained in one or more years. In these and otherareas, the pressure may be about seventy percent of the drilled-inpressure within three months.

FIG. 84 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for surface productionof gas from a subterranean zone in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. In this embodiment, the subterranean zone is a coalseam with a medium to low effective permeability and a multi-well systemwith a cavity is used to produce the coal seam. It will be understoodthat the subterranean zone may comprise gas bearing shales and othersuitable formations.

Referring to FIG. 84, the method begins after the region to be drainedand the type of drainage patterns 74050 for the region have beendetermined. Any suitable pinnate, other substantially uniform patternproviding less than ten or even five percent trapped zones in thecoverage area, omni-directional or multi-branching pattern may be usedto provide coverage for the region.

At step 75700, in an embodiment in which dual intersecting wells areused, the substantially vertical well 74012 is drilled from the surface74014 through the coal seam 74015. Slant and other single wellconfigurations may instead be used. In a slant well configuration, thedrainage patterns may be formed off of a slant well or a slantingportion of a well with a vertical or other section at the surface.

Next, at step 75702, down hole logging equipment is utilized to exactlyidentify the location of the coal seam 74015 in the substantially wellbore 74012. At step 75704, the enlarged diameter or other cavity 74020is formed in the substantially vertical well bore 74012 at the locationof the coal seam 74015. As previously discussed, the enlarged diametercavity 74020 may be formed by underreaming and other suitabletechniques. For example, the cavity may be formed by fracing.

Next, at step 75706, the articulated well bore 74030 is drilled tointersect the enlarged diameter cavity 74020. At step 75708, the mainwell bore for the pinnate drainage pattern is drilled through thearticulated well bore 74030 into the coal seam 74015. As previouslydescribed, lateral kick-off points, or bumps may be formed along themain bore during its formation to facilitate drilling of the lateralbores. After formation of the main well bore, lateral bores for thepinnate drainage pattern are drilled at step 75710.

At step 75712, the articulated well bore 74030 is capped. Next, at step75714, gas lift equipment is installed in preparation for blow-down ofthe well. At step 75716, compressed air is pumped down the substantiallyvertical well bore 74012 to provide blow-down. The compressed airexpands in the cavity 74020, suspends the collected fluids within itsvolume and lifts the fluid to the surface. At the surface, air andproduced methane or other gases are separated from the water and flared.The water may be disposed of as runoff, reinjected or moved to a remotesite for disposal. In addition to providing gas lift, the blow-down mayclean the cavity 74020 and the vertical well 74012 of debris andkick-off the well to initiate self-sustaining flow. In a particularembodiment, the blow-down may last for one, two or a few weeks andproduce 3000, 4000, or 5000 or more barrels a day of water.

At step 75718, production equipment is installed in the substantiallyvertical well bore 74012 in place of the gas lift equipment. Theproduction equipment may include a well head and a sucker rod pumpextending down into the cavity 74020 for removing water from the coalseam 74015. If the well is shut in for any period of time, water buildsup in the cavity 74020 or self-sustaining flow is otherwise terminated,the pump may be used to remove water and drop the pressure in the coalseam 74015 to allow methane gas to continue to be diffused and to beproduced up the annulus of the substantially vertical well bore 74012.

At step 75720, methane gas diffused from the coal seam 74015 iscontinuously produced at the surface 74014. Methane gas may be producedin two-phase flow with the water or otherwise produced with water and/orproduced after reservoir pressure has been suitably reduced. Aspreviously described, the removal of large amounts of water from and/orrapid pressure reduction in the coverage area of the pinnate pattern mayinitiate and/or kick-off early gas release and allow the gas to beproduced based on an accelerated production curve. Proceeding to step75722, water that drains through the drainage pattern into the cavity74020 that is not lifted by the produced gas is pumped to the surfacewith the rod pumping unit. Water may be continuously or intermittentlypumped as needed for removal from the cavity 74020. In one embodiment,to accelerate gas production, water may be initially removed at a rateof 75500 barrels a day or greater.

Next, at decisional step 75724 it is determined whether the productionof gas from the coal seam 74015 is complete. In a particular embodiment,approximately seventy-five percent of the total gas in the coverage areaof the coal seam may be produced at the completion of gas production.The production of gas may be complete after the cost of the collectingthe gas exceeds the revenue generated by the well. Alternatively, gasmay continue to be produced from the well until a remaining level of gasin the coal seam 74015 is below required levels for mining or otheroperations. If production of the gas is not complete, the No branch ofdecisional step 75724 returns to steps 75720 and 75722 in which gasand/or water continue to be removed from the coal seam 74015.

Upon completion of production, the Yes branch of decisional step 75724leads to the end of the process by which gas production from a coal seamhas been expedited. The expedited gas production provides an acceleratedrate of return on coal bed methane and other suitable gas productionprojects. Particularly, the accelerated production of gas allowsdrilling and operating expenses for gas production of a field to becomeself-sustaining within a year or other limited period of time as opposedto a typical three to five-year period. As a result, capital investmentper field is reduced. After the completion of gas production, water,other fluids or gases may be injected into the coal seam 74015 throughthe pattern 74050.

FIG. 85 illustrates a production chart 75800 for an area of coal seam74015 having a medium to low effective permeability in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, water andgas are drained to the cavity 74020 through a uniform pinnate patternand produced to the surface 74014. It will be understood that water andgas may be collected from the coal seam 74015 in other suitablesubsurface structures such as a well bore extending below the well borepattern 7550 so as to prevent pressure buildup and continued drainage ofthe coverage area. In addition, it will be understood that reservoirpressure may be suitably reduced without the use of a cavity, rat holeor other structure or equipment. For example, the use of a volumecontrol pump operable to prevent the buildup of a hydrostatic pressurehead that would inhibit and/or shut down drainage from the coverage areamay be used.

Referring to FIG. 85, the chart 75800 includes time in months along theX axis 75802 and production along the Y axis 75804. Gas production is inthousand cubic feet per month (MCF/mon) while water production is inbarrels per month (BBL/mon). It will be understood that actualproduction curves may vary due to operating conditions and parameters aswell as formation and operating irregularities and equipment sensitivityand reliability. A water production curve 75806 and a gas productioncurve 75808 are based on an initial one to two week blow-down and onproduction under substantially continuous flow conditions. Flowconditions are continuous when the well is not shut in, when productionis continuous and/or when gas is produced without pressure build up atthe well head. Flow conditions are substantially continuous when flowinterruptions are limited to shut-ins for routine maintenance and/orshut-ins for less than twenty or even ten or five percent of aproduction time period. The production curves wells produced underconditions that are not substantially continuous may be normalizedand/or suitably adjusted to provide gas and water production curves ofthe well under substantially continuous flow conditions. Thus,production curves, production amounts, production times as well asformation parameters such as absolute, relative or effectivepermeability may be actually measured, determined based on modeling,estimated based on standardized equations and/or trends or otherwisesuitably determined.

The water production curve 75806 reaches a peak within a first or secondmonth from the start of water production with a majority of removablewater being removed from the coverage area within three months to oneyear of the start of water production. Water production 75806 may have afixed flow volume for dewatering prior to kick-off and thereafter asteep and substantially linear incline 75810 and decline 75812 with asharp peak 75814.

The gas production curve 75808 may have a steep incline 75820 followedby a peak 75822. Under substantially continuous flow conditions the peakmay occur within one month or a year from the start of water production.The peak 75822 may have a substantially exponential or other decline75824 that does not reach one-third or one-quarter of the peak rateuntil after twenty-five percent, a third or even a majority of the totalgas volume in the coverage area has been produced. It will be understoodthat more than the specified amount of gas may be produced within thespecified period. In tight or other coals, the production curve may havea hyperbolic decline. A peak has or is followed by a decline when thedecline tapers directly off from that peak.

The value produced is represented by the area under the productioncurve. Thus, under substantially continuous flow conditions, themajority of the gas is produced at or toward the beginning of theproduction time period rather than a gradual increase in gas rates witha peak occurring at the middle or toward the end of a complete gasproduction cycle. In this way, production is front-loaded. It will beunderstood that free or near well-bore gas in the immediate vicinity ofthe well bores may be released during drilling or the very beginning ofproduction may have a separate peak. Thus, with production curves mayinclude several peaks which are each a tapering, projecting point withsubstantial declines on both sides of the point. Such free gas, however,accounts for about two to five percent of the total gas in the coveragearea of the coal seam 74015.

Gas production may kick-off at approximately one week and proceeds at aself-sustaining rate for an extended period of time. The rate may beself-sustaining when water no longer needs to be removed to the surfaceby the provision of compressed air or by a pump. Gas production may peakbefore the end of the third month in medium permeability seams or takenine months, twelve months, eighteen months or two to three years in lowand ultra low permeability seams. During the life of the well, theeffective permeability of coal in the coverage area may vary based onwater and gas saturations and relative permeability.

After the peak 75822, gas production may thereafter decline over thenext three to five years until completed. On the decline, at least partof the production may be self-sustaining. Thus, gas from a correspondingarea of the coal seam 74015 may be produced within one, two, three orfive years with half the gas produced within a 12 to 18 month period. Atkick-off, pressure may be at 200 to 250 psi, down from an initial 300psi and thereafter drop sharply.

The gas production time may be further reduced by increasing waterremoval from the coal seam 74015 and may be extended by reducing waterproduction. In either case, kick-off time may be based on relative waterremoval and the decline curves may have substantially the same area andprofile. In one embodiment, the amount of water collected in the cavity74020 and thus that can be removed to the surface 74014 may becontrolled by the configuration of the drainage pattern 74050 andspacing of the lateral bores. Thus, for a given coal seam 74015 having aknown or estimated permeability, water pressure and/or influx, lateralspacing may be determined to drain a desired volume of water to thecavity 74020 for production to the surface 74014 and thus set the gasproduction curve 75806. In general, lateral spacing may be increasedwith increasing permeability and may be decreased with decreasingpermeability or increasing reservoir or water pressure or influx. In aparticular embodiment, drilling expenses may be weighed against the rateof returns and a suitably optimized pattern and/or lateral spacingdetermine. In this way, commercially viable fields for methane gasproduction are increased. A Coal Gas simulator by S. A. Holditch orother suitable simulator may be used for determining desired lateralspacing.

FIG. 86 illustrates a simulated cumulative gas production chart for amulti-lateral well as a function of lateral spacing in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, thebaseline reservoir properties used for the simulation models is a coalbed with a thickness of 5.5 feet, an initial pressure of 390 psia, anash content of 9.3%, a moisture content of 2.5%, a Langmuir volume of1,032 scf/ton, a Langmuir pressure 490 psia, a sorption time of ahundred days, a horizontal well diameter of 4.75 inches, a horizontalwell skin factor of zero and a well FBHP of 20 psia. Total laterals forthe simulated wells as a function of lateral spacing is twenty-twothousand, six hundred feet of total lateral for a lateral spacing offour hundred fifty feet, seventeen thousand, five hundred feet of totallateral for a six hundred foot lateral spacing, fourteen thousand, eighthundred feet of total lateral for seven hundred fifty foot lateralspacing, twelve thousand three hundred feet of total lateral for a onethousand foot lateral spacing and ten thousand four hundred feet oftotal lateral for one thousand three hundred and twenty foot lateralspacing. Permeability for the coal seam was 0.45 millidarcies.

Referring to FIG. 85, a cumulative gas production curve 75900 for alateral spacing of four hundred fifty feet is illustrated over a fifteenyear production time. Cumulative gas production curves 75902, 75904,75906 and 75908 are also illustrated for lateral spacings of six hundredfeet, seven hundred fifty feet, one thousand feet and one thousand threehundred twenty feet, respectively. Other suitable lateral spacings lessthan, greater than or between the illustrated spacings may be used andsuitably varied based on the permeability and type of the coal seam aswell as rate of return and other economic factors.

FIG. 87 illustrates the circulation of fluid in a well system 87010. Thewell system includes a subterranean zone that may comprise a coal seam.It will be understood that other subterranean zones can be similarlyaccessed using the dual well system of the present invention to removeand/or produce water, hydrocarbons, gas and other fluids in thesubterranean zone and to treat minerals in the subterranean zone priorto mining operations.

Referring to FIG. 87, a substantially vertical well bore 87012 extendsfrom a surface 87014 to a target layer subterranean zone 87015.Substantially vertical well bore 87012 intersects and penetratessubterranean zone 87015. Substantially vertical well bore 87012 may belined with a suitable well casing 87016 that terminates at or above thelevel of the coal seam or other subterranean zone 87015.

An enlarged cavity 87020 may be formed in substantially vertical wellbore 87012 at the level of subterranean zone 87015. Enlarged cavity87020 may have a different shape in different embodiments. Enlargedcavity 87020 provides a junction for intersection of substantiallyvertical well bore 87012 by an articulated well bore used to form adrainage bore in subterranean zone 87015. Enlarged cavity 87020 alsoprovides a collection point for fluids drained from subterranean zone87015 during production operations. A vertical portion of substantiallyvertical well bore 87012 continues below enlarged cavity 87020 to form asump 87022 for enlarged cavity 87020.

An articulated well bore 87030 extends from the surface 87014 toenlarged cavity 87020 of substantially vertical well bore 87012.Articulated well bore 87030 includes a substantially vertical portion87032, a substantially horizontal portion 87034, and a curved orradiused portion 87036 interconnecting vertical and horizontal portions87032 and 87034. Horizontal portion 87034 lies substantially in thehorizontal plane of subterranean zone 87015 and intersects enlargedcavity 87020 of substantially vertical well bore 87012. In particularembodiments, articulated well bore 87030 may not include a horizontalportion, for example, if subterranean zone 87015 is not horizontal. Insuch cases, articulated well bore 87030 may include a portionsubstantially in the same plane as subterranean zone 87015.

Articulated well bore 87030 may be drilled using an articulated drillstring 87040 that includes a suitable down hole motor and drill bit87042. A drilling rig 87067 is at the surface. A measurement whiledrilling (MWD) device 87044 may be included in articulated drill string87040 for controlling the orientation and direction of the well boredrilled by the motor and drill bit 87042. The substantially verticalportion 87032 of the articulated well bore 87030 may be lined with asuitable casing 87038.

After enlarged cavity 87020 has been successfully intersected byarticulated well bore 87030, drilling is continued through enlargedcavity 87020 using articulated drill string 87040 and appropriatehorizontal drilling apparatus to drill a drainage bore 87050 insubterranean zone 87015. Drainage bore 87050 and other such well boresinclude sloped, undulating, or other inclinations of the coal seam orsubterranean zone 87015.

During the process of drilling drainage bore 87050, drilling fluid (suchas drilling “mud”) is pumped down articulated drill string 87087040using pump 87064 and circulated out of articulated drill string 87040 inthe vicinity of drill bit 87042, where it is used to scour the formationand to remove formation cuttings. The drilling fluid is also used topower drill bit 87042 in cutting the formation. The general flow of thedrilling fluid through and out of drill string 87040 is indicated byarrows 87060.

System 87010 includes a valve 87066 and a relief valve 87068 in thepiping between articulated well bore 87030 and pump 87064. When drillingfluid is pumped down articulated drill string 87040 during drilling,valve 87066 is open. While connections are being made to articulateddrill string 87040, during tripping of the drill string or in othercases when desirable, valve 87066 is closed and relief valve 87068 opensto allow drilling fluid to be pumped by pump 87064 down articulated wellbore 87030 outside of articulated drill string 87040, in the annulusbetween articulated drill string 87040 and the surfaces of articulatedwell bore 87030. Pumping drilling fluid down articulated well bore 87030outside of articulated drill string 87040 while active drilling is notoccurring, such as during connections and tripping of the drill string,enables an operator to maintain a desired bottom hole pressure ofarticulated well bore 87030. Moreover, fluids may be provided throughboth valve 87066 and relief valve 87068 at the same time if desired. Inthe illustrated embodiment, relief valve 87068 is partially open toallow fluid to fall through articulated well bore 87030.

When pressure of articulated well bore 87030 is greater than thepressure of subterranean zone 87015 (the “formation pressure”), the wellsystem is considered over balanced. When pressure of articulated wellbore 87030 is less than the formation pressure, the well system isconsidered under balanced. In an over balanced drilling situation,drilling fluid and entrained cuttings may be lost into subterranean zone87015. Loss of drilling fluid and cuttings into the formation is notonly expensive in terms of the lost drilling fluids, which must be madeup, but it tends to plug the pores in the subterranean zone, which areneeded to drain the zone of gas and water.

A fluid, such as compressed air or another suitable gas, may be provideddown substantially vertical well bore 87012 through a tubing 87080. Inthe illustrated embodiment, gas is provided through tubing 87080;however it should be understood that other fluids may be providedthrough tubing 87080 in other embodiments. The gas may be providedthrough the tubing using an air compressor 87065, a pump or other means.The flow of the gas is generally represented by arrows 87076. The tubinghas an open end 87082 at enlarged cavity 87020 such that the gas exitsthe tubing at enlarged cavity 87020.

The flow rate of the gas or other fluid provided down substantiallyvertical well bore 87012 may be varied in order to change the bottomhole pressure of articulated well bore 87030. Furthermore, thecomposition of gas or other fluid provided down substantially verticalwell bore 87012 may also be changed to change the bottom hole pressure.By changing the bottom hole pressure of articulated well bore 87030, adesired drilling condition such as under-balanced, balanced orover-balanced may be achieved.

The drilling fluid pumped through articulated drill string 87040 mixeswith the gas or other fluid provided through tubing 87080 forming afluid mixture. The fluid mixture flows up substantially vertical wellbore 87012 outside of tubing 87080. Such flow of the fluid mixture isgenerally represented by arrows 87074 of FIG. 87. The fluid mixture mayalso comprise cuttings from the drilling of subterranean zone 87015 andfluid from subterranean zone 87015, such as water or methane gas.Drilling fluid pumped through articulated well bore 87030 outside ofarticulated drill string 87040 may also mix with the gas to form thefluid mixture flowing up substantially vertical well bore 87012 outsideof tubing 87080.

Articulated well bore 87030 also includes a level 87039 of fluid. Level87039 of fluid may be formed by regulating the fluid pump rate of pump87064 and/or the injection rate of air compressor 87065. Such level offluid acts as a fluid seal to provide a resistance to the flow offormation fluid, such as poisonous formation gas (for example, hydrogensulfide), up articulated well bore 87030. Such resistance results from ahydrostatic pressure of the level of fluid in articulated well bore87030. Thus, rig 87067 and rig personnel may be isolated from formationfluid, which may include poisonous gas, flowing up and out ofarticulated well bore 87030 at the surface. Furthermore, a largerannulus in substantially vertical well bore 87012 will allow for thereturn of cuttings to the surface at a lower pressure than if thecuttings were returned up articulated well bore 87030 outside ofarticulated drill string 87040.

A desired bottom hole pressure may be maintained during drilling even ifadditional collars of articulated drill string 87040 are needed, sincethe amount of gas pumped down substantially vertical well bore 87012 maybe varied to offset the change in pressure resulting from the use ofadditional drill string collars.

FIG. 88 illustrates the circulation of fluid in a well system 87410 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. System 87410 issimilar in many respects to system 87010 of FIG. 87, however thecirculation of fluid in system 87410 differs from the circulation offluid in system 87010. System 87410 includes a substantially verticalwell bore 87412 and an articulated well bore 87430. Articulated wellbore 87430 intersects substantially vertical well bore 87412 at anenlarged cavity 87420. Articulated well bore 87430 includes asubstantially vertical portion 87432, a curved portion 87436 and asubstantially horizontal portion 87434. Articulated well bore intersectsan enlarged cavity 87420 of substantially vertical well bore 87412.Substantially horizontal portion 87434 of articulated well bore 87430 isdrilled through subterranean zone 87415. Articulated well bore 87430 isdrilled using an articulated drill string 87440 which includes a downhole motor and a drill bit 87442. A drainage bore 87450 is drilled usingarticulated drill string 87440.

A drilling fluid is pumped through articulated drill string 87440 asdescribed above with respect to FIG. 87. The general flow of suchdrilling fluid is illustrated by arrows 87460. The drilling fluid maymix with fluid and/or cuttings from subterranean zone 87450 after thedrilling fluid exits articulated drill string 87440. Using relief valve87468, fluids may be provided down articulated well bore 87430 outsideof articulated drill string 87440 during connection or trippingoperations or otherwise when desirable, such as the falling fluidillustrated in FIG. 87.

A fluid, such as compressed air, may be provided down substantiallyvertical well bore 87412 in the annulus between a tubing 87480 and thesurface of substantially vertical well bore 87412. In the illustratedembodiment, gas is provided down substantially vertical well bore 87412outside of tubing 87480; however it should be understood that otherfluids may be provided in other embodiments. The gas or other fluid maybe provided using an air compressor 87465, a pump or other means. Theflow of the gas is generally represented by arrows 87476.

The flow rate of the gas or other fluid provided down substantiallyvertical well bore 87412 may be varied in order to change the bottomhole pressure of articulated well bore 87430. Furthermore, thecomposition of gas or other fluid provided down substantially verticalwell bore 87412 may also be changed to change the bottom hole pressure.By changing the bottom hole pressure of articulated well bore 87430, adesired drilling condition such as under-balanced, balanced orover-balanced may be achieved.

The drilling fluid pumped through articulated drill string 87440 mixeswith the gas or other fluid provided down substantially vertical wellbore 87412 outside of tubing 87480 to form a fluid mixture. The fluidmixture enters an open end 87482 of tubing 87480 and flows upsubstantially vertical well bore 87412 through tubing 87480. Such flowof the fluid mixture is generally represented by arrows 87474. The fluidmixture may also comprise cuttings from the drilling of subterraneanzone 87415 and fluid from subterranean zone 87415, such as water ormethane gas. Drilling fluid pumped through articulated well bore 87430outside of articulated drill string 87440 may also mix with the gas toform the fluid mixture flowing up substantially vertical well bore 87412outside of tubing 87480.

FIG. 89 illustrates the circulation of fluid in a well system 87110 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. System 87110includes a substantially vertical well bore 87112 and an articulatedwell bore 87130. Articulated well bore 87130 intersects substantiallyvertical well bore 87112 at an enlarged cavity 87120. Articulated wellbore 87130 includes a substantially vertical portion 87132, a curvedportion 87136 and a substantially horizontal portion 87134. Articulatedwell bore intersects an enlarged cavity 87120 of substantially verticalwell bore 87112. Substantially horizontal portion 87134 of articulatedwell bore 87130 is drilled through subterranean zone 87115. Articulatedwell bore 87130 is drilled using an articulated drill string 87140 whichincludes a down hole motor and a drill bit 87142. A drainage bore 87150is drilled using articulated drill string 87140.

Substantially vertical well bore 87112 includes a pump string 87180which comprises a pump inlet 87182 located at enlarged cavity 87120. Adrilling fluid is pumped through articulated drill string 87140 asdescribed above with respect to FIG. 87. The general flow of suchdrilling fluid is illustrated by arrows 87160. The drilling fluid maymix with fluid and/or cuttings from subterranean zone 87150 to form afluid mixture after the drilling fluid exits articulated drill string87140.

The fluid mixture is pumped up through substantially vertical well bore87112 through pump inlet 87182 and pump string 87180 using pump 87165,as generally illustrated by arrows 87172. Formation gas 87171 fromsubterranean zone 87115 flows up substantially vertical well bore 87112to areas of lower pressure, bypassing pump inlet 87182. Thus, particularembodiments of the present invention provide a manner for pumping fluidout of a dual well system through a pump string and limiting the amountof formation gas pumped through the pump string. Formation gas 87171 maybe flared as illustrated or recovered.

The speed of the pumping of the fluid mixture up substantially verticalwell bore 87112 through pump string 87180 may be varied to change thefluid level and bottom hole pressure of system 87110. By changing thefluid level and bottom hole pressure, a desired drilling condition suchas under-balanced, balanced or over-balanced may be achieved.Substantially vertical well bore 87112 includes a pressure sensor 87168operable to detect a pressure in substantially vertical well bore 87112.Pressure sensor 87168 may be electrically coupled to an engine 87167 ofpump 87165 to automatically change the speed of pump 87165 based on thepressure at a certain location in system 87110. In other embodiments,the speed of pump 87165 may be varied manually to achieve a desireddrilling condition.

While connections are being made to articulated drill string 87140,during tripping of the drill string or in other cases when desirable,drilling fluid may be pumped through articulated well bore 87130 outsideof articulated drill string 87140. Such drilling fluid may mix withfluid and/or cuttings from subterranean zone 87150 to form the fluidmixture pumped up substantially vertical well bore 87112 through pumpstring 87180.

FIG. 90 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for circulatingfluid in a well system in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The method begins at step 87200 where a substantiallyvertical well bore is drilled from a surface to a subterranean zone. Inparticular embodiments, the subterranean zone may comprise a coal seamor a hydrocarbon reservoir. At step 87202 an articulated well bore isdrilled from the surface to the subterranean zone. The articulated wellbore is drilled using a drill string. The articulated well bore ishorizontally offset from the substantially vertical well bore at thesurface and intersects the substantially vertical well bore at ajunction proximate the subterranean zone. The junction may be at anenlarged cavity.

Step 87204 includes drilling a drainage bore from the junction into thesubterranean zone. At step 87206, a drilling fluid is pumped through thedrill string when the drainage bore is being drilled. The drilling fluidmay exit the drill string proximate a drill bit of the drill string.

At step 87208, gas, such as compressed air, is provided down thesubstantially vertical well bore through a tubing. In other embodiments,other fluids may be provided down the substantially vertical well borethrough the tubing. The tubing includes an opening at the junction suchthat the gas exits the tubing at the junction. In particularembodiments, the gas mixes with the drilling fluid to form a fluidmixture that returns up the substantially vertical well bore outside ofthe tubing. The fluid mixture may also include fluid and/or cuttingsfrom the subterranean zone. The flow rate or composition of the gas orother fluid provided down the substantially vertical well bore may bevaried to control a bottom hole pressure of the system to achieve adesired drilling condition, such as an over-balanced, under-balanced orbalanced drilling condition.

FIG. 91 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for circulatingfluid in a well system in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The method begins at step 87300 where a substantiallyvertical well bore is drilled from a surface to a subterranean zone. Inparticular embodiments, the subterranean zone may comprise a coal seamor a hydrocarbon reservoir. At step 87302 an articulated well bore isdrilled from the surface to the subterranean zone. The articulated wellbore is drilled using a drill string. The articulated well bore ishorizontally offset from the substantially vertical well bore at thesurface and intersects the substantially vertical well bore at ajunction proximate the subterranean zone. The junction may be at anenlarged cavity.

Step 87304 includes drilling a drainage bore from the junction into thesubterranean zone. At step 87306, a drilling fluid is pumped through thedrill string when the drainage bore is being drilled. The drilling fluidmay exit the drill string proximate a drill bit of the drill string. Atstep 87308, a pump string is provided down substantially vertical wellbore. The pump string includes a pump inlet proximate the junction. Atstep 87310, a fluid mixture is pumped up substantially vertical wellbore through the pump string. The fluid mixture enters the pumps stringat the pump inlet. The fluid mixture may comprise the drilling fluidafter the drilling fluid exits the drill string, fluid from thesubterranean zone and/or cuttings from the subterranean zone. The speedof the pumping of the fluid mixture up the substantially vertical wellbore through the pump string may be varied to control a bottom holepressure to achieve a desired drilling condition, such as anover-balanced, under-balanced or balanced drilling condition.

FIG. 92 illustrates an example well system for removing fluid from asubterranean zone. An articulated well bore 92430 extends from surface92414 to subterranean zone 92415. In this embodiment, subterranean zone92415 comprises a coal seam, however subterranean zones in accordancewith other embodiments may comprise other compositions, such as shale.

Articulated well bore 92430 includes a substantially vertical portion92432, a substantially horizontal portion 92434 and a curved or radiusedportion 92436 interconnecting vertical and horizontal portions 92432 and92434. Horizontal portion 92434 lies substantially in the horizontalplane of subterranean zone 92415. In particular embodiments, articulatedwell bore 92430 may not include a horizontal portion, for example, ifsubterranean zone 92415 is not horizontal. In such cases, articulatedwell bore 92430 may include a portion substantially in the same plane assubterranean zone 92415. Articulated well bore 92430 may be drilledusing an articulated drill string. Articulated well bore 92430 may belined with a suitable casing 92438.

Articulated well bore 92430 also includes an enlarged cavity 92420formed in substantially vertical portion 92432. In this embodiment,enlarged cavity 92420 comprises a generally cylindrical shape; however,enlarged cavities in accordance with other embodiments may compriseother shapes. Enlarged cavity 92420 may be formed using suitableunderreaming techniques and equipment, as described in further detailbelow with respect to FIGS. 96-98. Articulated well bore 92430 includesfluids 92450. Fluids 92450 may comprise drilling fluid and/or drillingmud used in connection with drilling articulated well bore 92430, water,gas, for example methane gas released from subterranean zone 92415, orother liquids and/or gases. In the illustrated embodiment, methane gas92452 is released from subterranean zone 92415 after articulated wellbore 92430 is drilled.

Enlarged cavity 92420 acts as a chamber for the separation of gas andliquid since the cross-sectional area of enlarged cavity 92420 is largerthan the cross-sectional area of other portions of articulated well bore92430. This allows gas 92452 to flow through and up the articulated wellbore 92430 while liquid separates out from the gas and remains in theenlarged cavity for pumping. Such separation occurs because the velocityof the gas flowing up through the articulated well bore decreases atenlarged cavity 92420 below a velocity at which the gas can entrainliquid, thus allowing for the separation of the gas and liquid atenlarged cavity 92420. This decrease in velocity results from the largercross-sectional area of enlarged cavity 92420 relative to thecross-sectional area of other portions of articulated well bore 92430through which the gas flows. An enlarged cavity having a largercross-sectional area may lead to a greater reduction in velocity of thegas flowing up and through the well bore.

A pumping unit 92440 is disposed within articulated well bore 92430. Inthis embodiment, pumping unit 92440 includes a bent sub section 92442and a pump inlet 92444 disposed within enlarged cavity 92420. Pumpingunit 92440 is operable to drain liquid, entrained coal fines and otherfluids from articulated well bore 92430. As discussed above, such liquidseparates from the flow of gas 92452 through articulated well bore 92430at enlarged cavity 92420. Bent sub section 92442 of pumping unit 92440enables pump inlet 92444 to be disposed within enlarged cavity 92420 ata position that is horizontally offset from the flow of gas 92452through articulated well bore 92430 at enlarged cavity 92420. In thisembodiment, pump inlet 92444 is horizontally offset from thelongitudinal axis of vertical portion 92432 of articulated well bore92430. This position decreases the amount of gas 92452 pumped throughpump inlet 92444 because gas 92452 may bypass pump inlet 92444 when itreleases from subterranean zone 92430 and flows through and uparticulated well bore 92430 where it may be flared, released orrecovered. If pump inlet 92444 was not horizontally offset from the flowof gas 92452 through articulated well bore 92430 at enlarged cavity92420, gas 92452 may flow into pump inlet 92444 when it released fromsubterranean zone 92450. In that case the pump efficiency of the systemwould be reduced.

Thus, forming enlarged cavity 92420 of articulated well bore 92430enables liquid of fluids 92450 to separate out from the flow of gas92452 through the well bore. Enlarged cavity 92420 also enables a userto position pump inlet 92444 offset from the flow of gas 92452 througharticulated well bore 92430 at enlarged cavity 92420. Thus, the fluidsand entrained coal fines pumped from subterranean zone 92415 througharticulated well bore 92430 will contain less gas, resulting in greaterpump efficiency.

FIG. 93 illustrates another example well system for removing fluid froma subterranean zone. An articulated well bore 92530 extends from surface92514 to subterranean zone 92515. Articulated well bore 92530 includes asubstantially vertical portion 92532, a substantially horizontal portion92534 and a curved portion 92536 interconnecting vertical and horizontalportions 92532 and 92534. Articulated well bore 92530 is lined with asuitable casing 92538. Articulated well bore 92530 also includes anenlarged cavity 92520 formed in substantially horizontal portion 92534.

Articulated well bore 92530 includes fluids 92550. Fluids 92550 maycomprise drilling fluid and/or drilling mud used in connection withdrilling articulated well bore 92530, water, gas, for example methanegas released from subterranean zone 92515, or other liquids and/orgases. In the illustrated embodiment, methane gas 92552 is released fromsubterranean zone 92515 after articulated well bore 92530 is drilled.Enlarged cavity 92520 acts as a chamber for the separation of gas andliquid much like enlarged cavity 92420 of FIG. 92 discussed above.

A pumping unit 92540 is disposed within articulated well bore 92530. Inthis embodiment, pumping unit 92540 includes a bent sub section 92542and a pump inlet 92544 disposed within enlarged cavity 92520. Pumpingunit 92540 is operable to drain liquid, entrained coal fines and otherfluid from articulated well bore 92530. As discussed above, such liquidseparates from the flow of gas 92552 through articulated well bore 92530at enlarged cavity 92520. Bent sub section 92542 of pumping unit 92540enables pump inlet 92544 to be disposed within enlarged cavity 92520 ata position that is vertically offset from the flow of gas 92552 througharticulated well bore 92530 at enlarged cavity 92520. In thisembodiment, pump inlet 92544 is vertically offset from the longitudinalaxis of horizontal portion 92534 of articulated well bore 92530. Thisposition decreases the amount of gas 92552 pumped through pump inlet92544 because gas 92552 may bypass pump inlet 92544 when it releasesfrom subterranean zone 92530 and flows through and up articulated wellbore 92530. If pump inlet 92544 was not vertically offset from the flowof gas 92552 through articulated well bore 92530 at enlarged cavity92520, gas 92552 would likely flow into pump inlet 92544 when itreleased from subterranean zone 92550. In that case the pump efficiencyof the system would be reduced.

Enlarged cavity 92520 also enables a user to position pump inlet 92544offset from the flow of gas 92552 through articulated well bore 92530 atenlarged cavity 92520. Thus, the fluids and entrained coal fines pumpedfrom subterranean zone 92515 through articulated well bore 92530 willcontain less gas, resulting in greater pump efficiency.

FIG. 94 illustrates another example well system for removing fluid froma subterranean zone. An articulated well bore 92230 extends from surface92214 to subterranean zone 92215. Articulated well bore 92230 includes asubstantially vertical portion 92232, a substantially horizontal portion92234 and a curved portion 92236 interconnecting vertical and horizontalportions 92232 and 92234.

Articulated well bore 92230 includes an enlarged cavity 92220 formed incurved portion 92236. Articulated well bore 92230 includes fluids 92250.Fluids 92250 may comprise drilling fluid and/or drilling mud used inconnection with drilling articulated well bore 92230, water, gas, forexample methane gas released from subterranean zone 92215, or otherliquids and/or gases. In the illustrated embodiment, methane gas 92252is released from subterranean zone 92215 after articulated well bore92230 is drilled. Enlarged cavity 92220 acts as a chamber for theseparation of gas and liquid much like enlarged cavity 92420 of FIG. 92discussed above.

A pumping unit 92240 is disposed within articulated well bore 92230.Pumping unit 92240 includes a pump inlet 92244 disposed within enlargedcavity 92220. Pumping unit 92240 is operable to drain liquid, entrainedcoal fines and other fluids from articulated well bore 92230. Asdiscussed above, such liquid separates from the flow of gas 92252through articulated well bore 92230 at enlarged cavity 92220. Asillustrated, pump inlet 92244 is offset from the flow of gas 92252through articulated well bore 92230 at enlarged cavity 92220. Thisdecreases the amount of gas 92252 pumped through pump inlet 92244because gas 92252 may bypass pump inlet 92244 when it releases fromsubterranean zone 92230 and flows through and up articulated well bore92230.

Thus, forming enlarged cavity 92220 of articulated well bore 92230enables liquids of fluids 92250 to separate out from the flow of gas92252 through the well bore. Enlarged cavity 92220 also enables a userto position pump inlet 92244 offset from the flow of gas 92252 througharticulated well bore 92230 at enlarged cavity 92220. Thus, the fluidsand entrained coal fines pumped from subterranean zone 92215 througharticulated well bore 92230 will contain less gas, resulting in greaterpump efficiency.

FIG. 95 illustrates another example well system for removing fluid froma subterranean zone. An articulated well bore 92130 extends from surface92114 to subterranean zone 92115. Articulated well bore 92130 includes asubstantially vertical portion 92132, a substantially horizontal portion92134, a curved portion 92136 interconnecting vertical and horizontalportions 92132 and 92134, and a branch sump 92137.

Articulated well bore 92130 includes an enlarged cavity 92120. Enlargedcavity 92220 acts a chamber for the separation of gas 92152 and liquid92153 which are included in fluids released from subterranean zone 92115after articulated well bore 92130 is drilled. This allows gas 92152 toflow through and up the articulated well bore 92130 while liquid 92153separates out from the gas and remains in enlarged cavity 92120 andbranch sump 92137 for pumping. Branch sump 92137 provides a collectionarea from which liquid 92153 may be pumped.

A pumping unit 92140 is disposed within articulated well bore 92130.Pumping unit 92140 includes a pump inlet 92144 disposed within branchsump 92137. Pumping unit 92140 is operable to drain liquid 92153 andentrained coal fines from articulated well bore 92130. As discussedabove, such liquid 92153 separates from the flow of gas 92152 througharticulated well bore 92130. Thus, forming enlarged cavity 92120 ofarticulated well bore 92130 enables liquid 92153 to separate out fromthe flow of gas 92152 through the well bore. Thus, the fluids andentrained coal fines pumped from subterranean zone 92115 througharticulated well bore 92130 will contain less gas, resulting in greaterpump efficiency.

As described above, FIGS. 92-95 illustrate enlarged cavities formed in asubstantially vertical portion, a substantially horizontal portion and acurved portion of an articulated well bore. It should be understood thatembodiments of this invention may include an enlarged cavity formed inany portion of an articulated well bore, any portion of a substantiallyvertical well bore, any portion of a substantially horizontal well boreor any portion of any other well bore, such as a slant well bore.

FIG. 96 illustrates an example underreamer 92610 used to form anenlarged cavity, such as enlarged cavity 92420 of FIG. 92. Underreamer92610 includes two cutters 92614 pivotally coupled to a housing 92612.Other underreamers which may be used to form enlarged cavity 92420 mayhave one or more than two cutters 92614. In this embodiment, cutters92614 are coupled to housing 92612 via pins 92615; however, othersuitable methods may be used to provide pivotal or rotational movementof cutters 92614 relative to housing 92612. Housing 92612 is illustratedas being substantially vertically disposed within a well bore 92611;however, underreamer 92610 may form an enlarged cavity while housing92612 is disposed in other positions as well. For example, underreamer92610 may form an enlarged cavity such as enlarged cavity 92520 of FIG.93 while in a substantially horizontal position.

Underreamer 92610 includes an actuator 92616 with a portion slidablypositioned within a pressure cavity 92622 of housing 92612. Actuator92616 includes a fluid passage 92621. Fluid passage 92621 includes anoutlet 92625 which allows fluid to exit fluid passage 92621 intopressure cavity 92622 of housing 92612. Pressure cavity 92622 includesan exit vent 92627 which allows fluid to exit pressure cavity 92622 intowell bore 92611. In particular embodiments, exit vent 92627 may becoupled to a vent hose in order to transport fluid exiting through exitvent 92627 to the surface or to another location. Actuator 92616 alsoincludes an enlarged portion 92620 which, in this embodiment, has abeveled portion 92624. However, other embodiments may include anactuator having an enlarged portion that comprises other angles, shapesor configurations, such as a cubical, spherical, conical or teardropshape. Actuator 92616 also includes pressure grooves 92631.

Cutters 92614 are illustrated in a retracted position, nesting aroundactuator 92616. Cutters 92614 may have a length of approximately two tothree feet; however the length of cutters 92614 may be different inother embodiments. Cutters 92614 are illustrated as having angled ends;however, the ends of cutters 92614 in other embodiments may not beangled or they may be curved, depending on the shape and configurationof enlarged portion 92620. Cutters 92614 include side cutting surfaces92654 and end cutting surfaces 92656. Cutters 92614 may also includetips which may be replaceable in particular embodiments as the tips getworn down during operation. In such cases, the tips may include endcutting surfaces 92656. Cutting surfaces 92654 and 92656 and the tipsmay be dressed with a variety of different cutting materials, including,but not limited to, polycrystalline diamonds, tungsten carbide inserts,crushed tungsten carbide, hard facing with tube barium, or othersuitable cutting structures and materials, to accommodate a particularsubsurface formation. Additionally, various cutting surfaces 92654 and92656 configurations may be machined or formed on cutters 92614 toenhance the cutting characteristics of cutters 92614.

In operation, a pressurized fluid is passed through fluid passage 92621of actuator 92616. Such disposition may occur through a drill pipeconnector connected to housing 92612. The pressurized fluid flowsthrough fluid passage 92621 and exits the fluid passage through outlet92625 into pressure cavity 92622. Inside pressure cavity 92622, thepressurized fluid exerts a first axial force 92640 upon an enlargedportion 92637 of actuator 92616. Enlarged portion 92637 may be encircledby circular gaskets in order to prevent pressurized fluid from flowingaround enlarged portion 92637. The exertion of first axial force 92640on enlarged portion 92637 of actuator 92616 causes movement of actuator92616 relative to housing 92612. Such movement causes beveled portion92624 of enlarged portion 92620 to contact cutters 92614 causing cutters92614 to rotate about pins 92615 and extend radially outward relative tohousing 92612. Through the extension of cutters 92614, underreamer 92610forms an enlarged cavity as cutting surfaces 92654 and 92656 of cutters92614 come into contact with the surfaces of well bore 92611.

Housing 92612 may be rotated within well bore 92611 as cutters 92614extend radially outward to aid in forming an enlarged cavity 92642.Rotation of housing 92612 may be achieved using a drill string coupledto the drill pipe connector; however, other suitable methods of rotatinghousing 92612 may be utilized. For example, a downhole motor in wellbore 92611 may be used to rotate housing 92612. In particularembodiments, both a downhole motor and a drill string may be used torotate housing 92612. The drill string may also aid in stabilizinghousing 92612 in well bore 92611.

FIG. 97 is a diagram illustrating underreamer 92610 of FIG. 96 in asemi-extended position. In FIG. 97, cutters 92614 are in a semi-extendedposition relative to housing 92612 and have begun to form an enlargedcavity 92642. When first axial force 92640 (illustrated in FIG. 96) isapplied and actuator 92616 moves relative to housing 92612, enlargedportion 92637 of actuator 92616 will eventually reach an end 92644 ofpressure cavity 92622. At this point, enlarged portion 92620 isproximate an end 92617 of housing 92612. Cutters 92614 are extended asillustrated and an angle 92646 will be formed between them. In thisembodiment, angle 92646 is approximately sixty degrees, but angle 92646may be different in other embodiments depending on the angle of beveledportion 92624 or the shape or configuration of enlarged portion 92620.As enlarged portion 92637 of actuator 92616 reaches end 92644 ofpressure cavity 92622, the fluid within pressure cavity 92622 may exitpressure cavity 92622 into well bore 92611 through pressure grooves92631. Fluid may also exit pressure cavity 92622 through exit vent92627. Other embodiments of the present invention may provide other waysfor the pressurized fluid to exit pressure cavity 92622.

FIG. 98 is a diagram illustrating underreamer 92610 of FIG. 97 in anextended position. Once enough first axial force 92640 has been exertedon enlarged portion 92637 of actuator 92616 for enlarged portion 92637to contact end 92644 of pressure cavity 92622 thereby extending cutters92614 to a semi-extended position as illustrated in FIG. 97, a secondaxial force 92648 may be applied to underreamer 92610. Second axialforce 92648 may be applied by moving underreamer 92610 relative to wellbore 92611. Such movement may be accomplished by moving the drill stringcoupled to the drill pipe connector or by any other technique. Theapplication of second axial force 92648 forces cutters 92614 to rotateabout pins 92615 and further extend radially outward relative to housing92612. The application of second axial force 92648 may further extendcutters 92614 to a position where they are approximately perpendicularto a longitudinal axis of housing 92612, as illustrated in FIG. 98.Housing 92612 may include a bevel or “stop” in order to prevent cutters92614 from rotating passed a particular position, such as anapproximately perpendicular position to a longitudinal axis of housing92612 as illustrated in FIG. 98.

As stated above, housing 92612 may be rotated within well bore 92611when cutters 92614 are extended radially outward to aid in formingenlarged cavity 92642. Underreamer 92610 may also be raised and loweredwithin well bore 92611 to further define and shape cavity 92642. Itshould be understood that a subterranean cavity having a shape otherthan the shape of cavity 92642 may be formed with underreamer 92610.

FIG. 99 is an isometric diagram illustrating an enlarged cavity 92660having a generally cylindrical shape which may be formed usingunderreamer 92610 of FIGS. 96-98. Enlarged cavity 92660 may be formed byraising and/or lowering the underreamer in the well bore and by rotatingthe underreamer. Enlarged cavity 92660 is also an example of cavity92420 of FIG. 92.

Although enlarged cavities having a generally cylindrical shape havebeen illustrated, it should be understood that an enlarged cavity havinganother shape may be used in accordance with particular embodiments ofthe present invention. Furthermore, an enlarged cavity may be formed byusing an underreamer as described herein or by using other suitabletechniques or methods, such as blasting or solution mining.

FIG. 100 illustrates an example dual well system 100010 for accessing asubterranean zone from the surface. In one embodiment, the subterraneanzone may comprise a coal seam. It will be understood that othersubterranean zones, such as oil or gas reservoirs, can be similarlyaccessed using the dual well system of the present invention to removeand/or produce water, hydrocarbons and other fluids in the subterraneanzone and to treat minerals in the subterranean zone prior to miningoperations.

Referring to FIG. 100, a substantially vertical well bore 100012 extendsfrom a surface 100014 to a target layer subterranean zone 100015.Substantially vertical well bore 12 intersects and penetratessubterranean zone 15. Substantially vertical well bore 100012 may belined with a suitable well casing 100016 that terminates at or above thelevel of the coal seam or other subterranean zone 100015.

Substantially vertical well bore 100012 may be logged either during orafter drilling in order to locate the exact vertical depth of the targetsubterranean zone 100015. As a result, subterranean zone 100015 is notmissed in subsequent drilling operations, and techniques used to locatezone 100015 while drilling need not be employed. An enlarged cavity100020 may be formed in substantially vertical well bore 100012 at thelevel of subterranean zone 100015. Enlarged cavity 100020 may have adifferent shape in different embodiments. For example, in particularembodiments enlarged cavity 100020 may have a generally cylindricalshape or a substantially non circular shape. Enlarged cavity 100020provides a junction for intersection of substantially vertical well bore100012 by an articulated well bore used to form a drainage bore insubterranean zone 100015. Enlarged cavity 100020 also provides acollection point for fluids drained from subterranean zone 100015 duringproduction operations. Enlarged cavity 100020 is formed using suitableunderreaming techniques and equipment. A vertical portion ofsubstantially vertical well bore 100012 continues below enlarged cavity20 to form a sump 100022 for enlarged cavity 100020.

An articulated well bore 100030 extends from the surface 100014 toenlarged cavity 100020 of substantially vertical well bore 100012.Articulated well bore 100030 includes a substantially vertical portion100032, a substantially horizontal portion 100034, and a curved orradiused portion 100036 interconnecting vertical and horizontal portions100032 and 100034. Horizontal portion 100034 lies substantially in thehorizontal plane of subterranean zone 100015 and intersects enlargedcavity 100020 of substantially vertical well bore 100012. In particularembodiments, articulated well bore 100030 may not include a horizontalportion, for example, if subterranean zone 100015 is not horizontal. Insuch cases, articulated well bore 100030 may include a portionsubstantially in the same plane as subterranean zone 100015.

Articulated well bore 100030 is offset a sufficient distance fromsubstantially vertical well bore 100012 at surface 14 to permit curvedportion 100036 and any desired horizontal portion 100034 to be drilledbefore intersecting enlarged cavity 100020. In one embodiment, toprovide curved portion 100036 with a radius of 1000 150 feet,articulated well bore 100030 is offset a distance of about 300 feet fromsubstantially vertical well bore 100012. As a result, reach of thearticulated drill string drilled through articulated well bore 100030 ismaximized.

Articulated well bore 100030 may be drilled using an articulated drillstring 100040 that includes a suitable down hole motor and drill bit100042. A measurement while drilling (MWD) device 100044 may be includedin articulated drill string 100040 for controlling the orientation anddirection of the well bore drilled by the motor and drill bit 100042.The substantially vertical portion 100032 of the articulated well bore100030 may be lined with a suitable casing 100038.

After enlarged cavity 100020 has been successfully intersected byarticulated well bore 100030, drilling is continued through enlargedcavity 100020 using articulated drill string 100040 and appropriatehorizontal drilling apparatus to drill a drainage bore 100050 insubterranean zone 100015. Drainage bore 100050 and other such well boresinclude sloped, undulating, or other inclinations of the coal seam orsubterranean zone 100015. During this operation, gamma ray or acousticlogging tools and other MWD devices may be employed to control anddirect the orientation of the drill bit to retain the drainage bore100050 within the confines of subterranean zone 100015 and to providesubstantially uniform coverage of a desired area within the subterraneanzone 100015.

During the process of drilling drainage bore 100050, drilling fluid(such as drilling “mud”) is pumped down articulated drill string 100040using pump 100064 and circulated out of articulated drill string 100040in the vicinity of drill bit 100042, where it is used to scour theformation and to remove formation cuttings. The drilling fluid is alsoused to power drill bit 100042 in cutting the formation. The generalflow of the drilling fluid through and out of drill string 100040 isindicated by arrows 100060.

Foam, which in certain embodiments may include compressed air mixed withwater, may be circulated down through articulated drill string 100040with the drilling mud in order to aerate the drilling fluid inarticulated drill string 100040 and articulated well bore 100030 asarticulated well bore 100030 is being drilled and, if desired, asdrainage bore 100050 is being drilled. Drilling of drainage bore 100050with the use of an air hammer bit or an air powered down hole motor willalso supply compressed air or foam to the drilling fluid. In this case,the compressed air or foam which is used to power the drill bit or downhole motor exits the vicinity of drill bit 100042.

A pressure fluid may be pumped down substantially vertical well bore100012 using pump 100062 as indicated by arrows 100065. The pressurefluid pumped down substantially vertical well bore 100012 may comprisenitrogen gas, water, air, drilling mud or any other suitable materials.The pressure fluid enters enlarged cavity 100020 where the fluid mixeswith the drilling fluid which has been pumped through articulated drillstring 100040 and has exited articulated drill string 100040 proximatedrill bit 100042. The mixture of the pressure fluid pumped downsubstantially vertical well bore 100012 and the drilling fluids pumpedthrough articulated drill string 100040 (the “fluid mixture”) flows uparticulated well bore 100030 in the annulus between articulated drillstring 100040 and the surface of articulated well bore 100030. Such flowof the fluid mixture is generally represented by arrows 100070 of FIG.1000. The flow of the fluid up articulated well bore 100030 creates africtional pressure in the well bore system. The frictional pressure andthe hydrostatic pressure in the well bore system resist fluids fromsubterranean zone 100015 (“subterranean zone fluid”), such as water ormethane gas contained in subterranean zone 100015, from flowing out ofsubterranean zone 100015 and up articulated well bore 100030. Thefrictional pressure may also maintain the bottom hole equivalentcirculating pressure of the well system.

In this embodiment, pumps 100062 and 100064 pump the drilling fluid andthe pressure fluid into the system; however, in other embodiments othersuitable means or techniques may be used to provide the drilling fluidand the pressure fluid into the system.

When the hydrostatic and frictional pressure in articulated well bore100030 is greater than the formation pressure of subterranean zone100015, the well system is considered over balanced. When thehydrostatic and frictional pressure in articulated well bore 100030 isless than the formation pressure of subterranean zone 100015, the wellsystem is considered under balanced. In an over balanced drillingsituation, drilling fluid and entrained cuttings may be lost intosubterranean zone 100015. Loss of drilling fluid and cuttings into theformation is not only expensive in terms of the lost drilling fluids,which must be made up, but it tends to plug the pores in thesubterranean zone, which are needed to drain the zone of gas and water.

In particular embodiments, the pressure fluid pumped down substantiallyvertical well bore 100012 may include compressed gas provided by an aircompressor 100066. Using compressed gas within the fluid pumped downvertical well bore 100012 will lighten the pressure of the pressurefluid thus lightening the frictional pressure of the fluid mixtureflowing up articulated well bore 100030. Thus, the composition of thepressure fluid (including the amount of compressed gas or other fluidsmaking up the pressure fluid) may be varied in order to vary or controlthe frictional pressure resulting from the flow of the fluid mixture uparticulated well bore 100030. For example, the amount of compressed gaspumped down vertical well bore 100012 may be varied to yield overbalanced, balanced or under balanced drilling conditions. Another way tovary the frictional pressure in articulated well bore 100030 is to varyflow rate of the pressure fluid by varying the speeds of pumps 100062and 100064. The frictional pressure may be changed in real time and veryquickly, as desired, using the methods described herein.

The frictional pressure may be varied for any of a variety of reasons,such as during a blow out from the pressure of fluids in subterraneanzone 100015. For example, drill bit 100042 may hit a pocket of highpressured gas in subterranean zone 100015 during drilling. At this pointthe speed of pump 100062 may be increased so as to maintain a desiredrelationship between the frictional pressure in articulated well bore100030 and the increased formation pressure from the pocket of highpressured gas. By varying the frictional pressure, low pressure coalseams and other subterranean zones can also be drilled withoutsubstantial loss of drilling fluid and contamination of the zone by thedrilling fluid.

Fluid may also be pumped down substantially vertical well bore 100012 bypump 100062 while making connections to articulated drill string 100040,while tripping the drill string or in other situations when activedrilling is stopped. Since drilling fluid is typically not pumpedthrough articulated drill string 100040 during drill string connectingor tripping, one may increase the pumping rate of fluid pumped downsubstantially vertical well bore 100012 by a certain volume to make upfor the loss of drilling fluid flow through articulated drill string100040. For example, when articulated drill string 100040 is removedfrom articulated well bore 100030, pressure fluid may be pumped downvertical well bore 100012 and circulated up articulated well bore 100030between articulated drill string 100040 and the surface of articulatedwell bore 100030. This fluid may provide enough frictional andhydrostatic pressure to prevent fluids from subterranean zone 100015from flowing up articulated well bore 100030. Pumping an additionalamount of fluid down substantially vertical well bore 100012 duringthese operations enables one to maintain a desired pressure condition onthe system when not actively drilling.

FIG. 101 illustrates an example dual well system 100110 for accessing asubterranean zone from the surface. System 100110 includes asubstantially vertical well bore 100112 and an articulated well bore100130. Articulated well bore 100130 includes a substantially verticalportion 100132, a curved portion 100136 and a substantially horizontalportion 100134. Articulated well bore intersects an enlarged cavity100120 of substantially vertical well bore 100112. Substantiallyhorizontal portion 100134 of articulated well bore 100130 is drilledthrough subterranean zone 100115. Articulated well bore 100130 isdrilled using an articulated drill string 100140 which includes a downhole motor and a drill bit 100142. A drainage bore 100150 is drilledusing articulated drill string 100140.

Dual well system 100110 is similar in operation to dual well system100010 of FIG. 100. However, in dual well system 100110, the pressurefluid is pumped down articulated well bore 100130 in the annulus betweenarticulated drill string 100140 and the surface of articulated well bore100130 using pump 100162. The general flow of this pressure fluid isrepresented on FIG. 101 by arrows 100165. Drilling fluid is pumped downarticulated drill string 100140 during drilling of drainage bore 100150using pump 100164 as described in FIG. 100. Drilling fluid drives drillbit 100142 and exits articulated drill string 100140 proximate drill bit100142. The general flow of the drilling fluid through and out ofarticulated drill string 100140 is represented by arrows 100160.

After the drilling fluid exits articulated drill string 100140, itgenerally flows back through drainage bore 100150 and mixes with thepressure fluid which has been pumped down articulated well bore 100130.The resulting fluid mixture flows up substantially vertical well bore100112. The general flow of the resulting fluid mixture is representedby arrows 100170. The flow of the pressure fluid down articulated wellbore 100130 and fluid mixture up substantially vertical well bore 100112creates a frictional pressure in dual well system 100110. Thisfrictional pressure, combined with the hydrostatic pressure from thefluids, provides a resistance to formation fluids from subterranean zone100115 from leaving the subterranean zone. The amount of frictionalpressure provided may be varied to yield over balanced, balanced orunder balanced drilling conditions.

The pressure fluid pumped down articulated well bore 100130 may includecompressed gas provided by air compressor 100166. Compressed gas may beused to vary the frictional pressure discussed above provided in thesystem. The speed of pumps 100162 and 100164 may also be varied tocontrol the pressure in the system, for example, when a pocket of highpressured gas is encountered in subterranean zone 100115. An additionalamount of pressure fluid may be pumped down articulated well bore 100130during connections of articulated drill string 100140, tripping, otheroperations or when drilling is otherwise stopped in order to maintain acertain frictional pressure on subterranean zone 100115.

FIG. 102 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for controllingpressure of a dual well system in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The method begins at step 100200 where asubstantially vertical well bore is drilled from a surface to asubterranean zone. In particular embodiments, the subterranean zone maycomprise a coal seam, a gas reservoir or an oil reservoir. At step100202 an articulated well bore is drilled from the surface to thesubterranean zone. The articulated well bore is drilled using a drillstring. The articulated well bore is horizontally offset from thesubstantially vertical well bore at the surface and intersects thesubstantially vertical well bore at a junction proximate thesubterranean zone.

Step 100204 includes drilling a drainage bore from the junction into thesubterranean zone. At step 100206, a drilling fluid is pumped throughthe drill string when the drainage bore is being drilled. The drillingfluid may exit the drill string proximate a drill bit of the drillstring. At step 100208, a pressure fluid is pumped down thesubstantially vertical well bore when the drainage bore is beingdrilled. In particular embodiments the pressure fluid may comprisecompressed gas. The pressure fluid mixes with the drilling fluid to forma fluid mixture returning up the articulated well bore. The fluidmixture returning up the articulated well bore forms a frictionalpressure that may resist flow of fluid from the subterranean zone. Thewell system includes a bottom hole pressure that comprises thefrictional pressure. The bottom hole pressure may also comprisehydrostatic pressure from fluids in the articulated well bore. Thebottom hole pressure may be greater than, less than or equal to apressure from subterranean zone fluid.

At step 100210, the bottom hole pressure is monitored. At step 100212,the flow rate of the pressure fluid pumped down the substantiallyvertical well bore is varied in order to vary the frictional pressure.The composition of the pressure fluid may also be varied to vary thefrictional pressure. Variation in the frictional pressure results in avariation of the bottom hole pressure.

FIG. 103 illustrates an example well reservoir system 103010 accordingto yet another embodiment of the present invention. Reservoir system103010 includes a well bore 103012 that extends from a surface 103014into a subterranean zone 103015. Well bore 103012 may be a substantiallyvertical well bore or a slant well bore drilled at any appropriate anglefrom surface 103014. Reservoir system 103010 further includes a cavity103020 formed by enlarging well bore 103012 at an appropriate depth insubterranean zone 103015. Cavity 103020 may be generally cylindrical ornon-cylindrical depending on the technique used to form cavity 103020.Any appropriate technique may be used to form cavity 103020, includingunderreaming tools, water-jet cutting tools, blasting techniques, or anyother method of enlarging well bore 103012 in subterranean zone 103015.

Although not shown in FIG. 103, well bore 103012 may be used asappropriate to replace any of the substantially vertical well bores orslant well bores described above. For example, well bore 103012 andcavity 103020 may replace the vertical well bore and cavity of the dualwell system described with reference to FIG. 1. In such a case, cavity103020 may provide a junction for the intersection of well bore 103012by an articulated well bore. More particularly, cavity 103020 may beformed at least partially in a coal seam 103016 or other deposit ofresources such that cavity 103020 also provides a collection point forfluids drained from the coal seam or other resource deposit using adrainage pattern coupled to cavity 103020.

Well bore 103012 and cavity 103020 may also be used to replace one ormore of the slant wells described above. In this case, one or moregenerally horizontal lateral well bores may be drilled from well bore103012 into one or more resource deposits such that fluids may beproduced from the deposit and drain into cavity 103020. Furthermore, asan alternative to being used as a replacement for a previously-describedwell bore, well bore 103012 and cavity 103020 may be drilled alone, asdepicted in FIG. 103.

In any other these potential uses of well bore 103012 and cavity 103020,cavity 103020 may be used as a reservoir to collect and storeappropriate fluids. For example, if well bore 103012 and cavity 103020are used as a part of a dual well or slant well system for producingresources from a coal seam, cavity 103020 may be used to collect andstore water that is drained from the coal seam. As compared to thecavity formed in the example dual well system of FIG. 1 (and the othercavities illustrated above), cavity 103020 is designed and formed tocontain greater quantities of the produced water and thus provides theability to store a large amount of water for future purposes. Thisincreased capacity of cavity 103020 may be accomplished by increasingthe diameter and/or the length (height) of the cavities included in thevarious embodiments previously described. For example, although thecavity of FIG. 1 is illustrated as being formed in the target coal seam,cavity 103020 of FIG. 103 extends well below coal seam 103016. Thisadditional length of cavity 103020 provides an increased fluid storagecapacity.

Although this greater fluid storage capacity may not be required for theproduction of resources from coal seam 103016 (or other deposit ofresources), the increased capacity cavity 103020 may provideenvironmental and economic benefits after the production of resources iscompleted. For example, instead of disposing of large amounts of waterproduced during the production of methane from a coal bed, as describedabove, this water may be stored in cavity 103020. This reduces waterrun-off and other problems associated with water disposal. Furthermore,this stored water may then be used as needed in the surrounding area.For example, the water may be used to fight fires or water crops. Thewater may also be used as drinking water, if appropriate. Therefore, byincreasing the capacity of the cavity that may already be used in aresource production project, the environmental benefits of the systemsdescribed above can be further increased.

Although embodiments of the invention and their advantages are describedin detail, a person skilled in the art could make various alterations,additions, and omissions without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for accessing a subterranean zone ofshale, the system comprising: a drilling pad at a surface; a firstwellbore extending from the surface con g a first substantially verticalportion extending into a subterranean zone and a first substantiallyhorizontal drainage bore extending from the first substantially verticalportion and proximate to the subterranean zone; a second wellboreextending from the surface compromising a second substantially verticalportion extending into the subterranean zone and a second substantiallyhorizontal drainage bore extending from the second substantiallyvertical portion and proximate to the subterranean zone, wherein thefirst and second substantially horizontal drainage bores extend in thesubterranean zone in different directions from each other; a thirdwellbore extending from the surface comprising a third substantiallyvertical portion extending into the subterranean zone and a thirdsubstantially horizontal drainage bore extending from the thirdsubstantially vertical portion and proximate to the subterranean zone; afourth wellbore extending from the surface comprising a fourthsubstantially vertical portion extending into the subterranean zone anda fourth substantially horizontal drainage bore extending from thefourth substantially vertical portion and proximate to the subterraneanzone, wherein the third and fourth substantially horizontal drainagebores extend in the subterranean zone in different directions from eachother; the first, second, third and fourth wellbores each extending fromnon-common surface locations on the drilling pad at the surface, thesurface locations closely spaced to each other on the drilling pad;wherein the subterranean zone is shale; and, wherein the first, second,third, and fourth wellbores each produce a fluid extracted from thesubterranean zone through the substantially horizontal drainage bores.2. The system of claim 1, wherein each surface location, is locatedwithin 100 to 300 feet from another surface location.
 3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the surface locations are in-line with each other onthe drilling pad.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein, each surfacelocation is located within 2-100 feet from another surface location. 5.The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one cavity coupled toeach substantially horizontal drainage bore proximate to thesubterranean zone, the at least one cavity formed by fracing.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first and second substantially horizontaldrainage bores extend in substantially opposite directions.
 7. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the third and fourth substantially horizontaldrainage bores extend in substantially opposite directions.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first, second, third, and fourthwellbores are located within two acres on the drilling pad.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first and second substantially horizontaldrainage bores are located in a first subterranean zone of shale, andthe third and fourth substantially horizontal drainage bores are locatedin a second subterranean zone of shale.
 10. A method for accessingsubterranean zone of shale, the method comprising: forming a firstwellbore comprising a first substantially vertical portion extending ina subterranean zone of shale from a drilling pad at a surface, and afirst substantially horizontal drainage bore extending from the firstsubstantially vertical portion into the subterranean zone; forming asecond wellbore comprising a second substantially vertical portionextending in the subterranean zone from the drilling pad at the surface,and a second substantially horizontal drainage bore extending from thesecond substantially vertical portion into the subterranean zone suchthat the first and second substantially horizontal drainage bores extendthe subterranean zone in different directions; forming a third wellborecomprising a third substantially vertical portion extending in thesubterranean zone from the drilling pad at the surface, and a thirdsubstantially horizontal drainage bore extending from the thirdsubstantially vertical portion into the subterranean zone; forming afourth wellbore comprising a fourth substantially vertical portionextending in the subterranean zone from the drilling pad at the surface,and a fourth substantially horizontal drainage bore extending from thefourth substantially vertical portion into the subterranean zone suchthat the third and fourth substantially horizontal drainage bores extendin the subterranean zone in different directions; the first, second,third, and fourth wellbores producing a fluid extracted from thesubterranean zone of shale; and, wherein the first, second, third andfourth wellbores each have a non-common surface location on the drillingpad at the surface, the surface locations closely spaced to each otheron the drilling pad.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprisingforming the first, second, third, and fourth substantially verticalportions such that each surface location is located with 100 to 300 feetfrom another surface location.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising forming the wellbores such that the surface locations arein-line with each other on the drilling pad.
 13. The method of claim 10,further comprising forming the wellbores such that each surface locationis located within 2-100 feet from another surface location.
 14. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising forming at least one cavitycoupled to each substantially horizontal drainage bore, the at least onecavity formed by fracing.
 15. The method of claim 10, further comprisingforming the first and second substantially horizontal drainage boressuch that the first and second substantially horizontal drainage boresextend in substantially opposite directions.
 16. The system of claim 15,further comprising forming the third and fourth substantially horizontaldrainage bores such that the third and fourth substantially horizontaldrainage bores extend in substantially opposite directions.
 17. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the first and second substantiallyhorizontal drainage bores are located in a first subterranean zone ofshale, and the third and fourth substantially horizontal drainage boresare located in a second subterranean of shale.
 18. A system foraccessing a shale subterranean zone, the system comprising: a drillingpad at a surface, which is land; a first well comprising a firstwellbore with a first substantially vertical portion extending into ashale subterranean zone, and a first substantially horizontal drainagebore extending from the first substantially vertical portion; a secondwell comprising a second wellbore with a second substantially verticalportion extending into the shale subterranean zone, and a secondsubstantially horizontal drainage bore extending from the secondsubstantially vertical portion, wherein the first and secondsubstantially horizontal drainage bores extend in the shale subterraneanzone in substantially opposite directions; a third well comprising athird wellbore with a third substantially vertical portion extendinginto the shale subterranean zone, and a third substantially horizontaldrainage bore extending from the third substantially vertical portion; afourth well comprising a fourth wellbore with a fourth substantiallyvertical portion extending into the shale subterranean zone, and afourth substantially horizontal drainage bore extending from the fourthsubstantially vertical portion, wherein the third and fourthsubstantially horizontal drainage bores extend in the shale subterraneanzone in substantially opposite directions; the first, second, third andfourth wellbores each having a non-common surface location on thedrilling pad at the surface, the surface locations closely spaced toeach other on the drilling pad; wherein each wellbore is coupled to atleast one of the first, second, third, and fourth substantiallyhorizontal drainage bores at a junction proximate to the shalesubterranean zone; and, wherein each wellbore produces a fluidoriginating from the shale subterranean zone.